Agave deserti ssp. deserti (desert agave)

Agave deserti Engelm. ssp. deserti

Agave consociata Trel.

Desert agave

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Liliopsida	Monocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
Subclass	Liliidae	Includes lilies, orchids, and many others
Order	Asparagales	A diverse group that includes asparagus
Family	Asparagaceae	Agaves, asparagus, hyacinths, and others
Genus	Agave	From Greek, meaning “noble”
Species	deserti
ssp.	deserti

About plant names...

This species is native to southern California and Mexico.

Identification: Agave deserti usually grows in tight clumps, but this subspecies is often solitary. Rosettes are 12-19" (30-48 cm) high and 16-24" (40-60 cm) around. Leaves are 8-16" (20-40 cm) long and 1¾-3" (5-8 cm) wide, grayish or bluish green, with toothed edges, and often with bands of varying color across the width of the leaves. Flowering stalks are 6½-13' (2-4 m) tall. Individual flowers are yellow, 1-2" (3-6 cm) long, appearing from March to July.

References:

Ingram, Stephen, Cacti, Agaves and Yuccas of California and Nevada, Cachuma Press, 2008, p. 148

Irish, Mary & Irish, Gary, Agaves, Yuccas and Related Plants: A Gardener’s Guide, Timber Press, 2000, p. 115

Online References:

Agave deserti ssp. deserti on Desert-tropicals.com

Agave deserti ssp. deserti on eFloras

Agave deserti ssp. deserti on Plants of San Diego County, California

Agave deserti ssp. deserti description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

2/17/2007 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, CA

Range:

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