Scientific name:
Agave asperrima, agave scabra
Common name:
Rough agave, rough century plant
Range:
Far south Texas
Form:
Rosettes, up to 4 feet tall and wide. Forms basal offsets and spreads via roots
Habitat:
Grassland, woodland, 1,500 to 6,000 feet elevation; sandy or gravelly locations
Flowers:
Yellow, on a spike up to 20 feet tall. Blooms between May and July
Agave asperrima is a small to medium-sized species characterized by blue-green leaves up to 3 feet in length, widest (up to 6 inches) at the middle, beyond which they taper to a sharp, brown spine, up to 2 inches in length. Leaves are strongly concave in cross-section on the upper surface, and convex underneath. The edges bear sharp teeth, quite well separated, angled generally backwards, somewhat irregular in size and direction. Leaf surfaces are rough, covered by small, whitish projections.
Agave asperrima is quite common in north Mexico, often colonizing large areas of scrubland and hillsides. Plants are similar in appearance to agave americana, though rather smaller, forming less dense rosettes. There are three varieties (var madrensis, var potosiensis, var zarcensis).
Agave asperrima is quite common in north Mexico, often colonizing large areas of scrubland and hillsides. Plants are similar in appearance to agave americana, though rather smaller, forming less dense rosettes. There are three varieties (var madrensis, var potosiensis, var zarcensis).
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