Agave xylonacantha
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Agave xylonacantha has a sparse number of pale grey-green lanceolate leaves with a lighter colored center stripe. Broad, light-colored, almost papery irregularly-shaped spines run together along the leaf margins giving them an undulating appearance. Leaf surfaces are rough like sandpaper and beautifully imprinted. Monocarpic flowering stalks can reach a height of 11 feet. Flowers are up to 1.5 inches in diameter with greenish tepals.
Agave xylocantha requires excellent drainage but is otherwise easy to grow.
Grows at 3000′ on the limestone slopes of the Sierra Madre Oriental and in several other Mexican desert regions. It has unusual, convoluted leaf margins and irregular spines. Agave xylocantha never seems to have more than four or five of its very tough leaves out at any one time. A truly fascinating conversation piece for container culture.
Superior container plant, good in xeriscape, cactus and succulent gardens. This plant has many varied spines along the leaf margins so locate it away from foot traffic. Deer and rodent resistant.
Horticultural Data
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Names and Synonyms: Agave carchariodonta, Agave amurensis, Agave maximiliana, Agave perbella, Agave vanderdonckii
Common Names: Saw Leaf Agave, Maguey diente de tiburón
Family: Agavaceae
Origin: Native to drier limestone slopes and valleys on the desert side of the Sierra Madre Oriental at elevations around 3,000 feet in the Mexican States of Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi and Hidalgo
Size Label: 1 Gallon
Mature Size: individual rosette
Height: 3-4′
Width: 4-5′
Cold Tolerance: 20 to 25°F, -6.7 to -3.9°C
Heat Tolerance: Very high
Light Requirement: Part to full sun
Water needs: Extremely drought tolerant
Maintenance: Remove offshoots and spent flower spikes as required. Trim spines if needed.
Uses: Superior container plant, good in xeriscape, cactus and succulent gardens. This plant has many varied spines along the leaf margins so locate it away from foot traffic. Deer and rodent resistant.
Propagation: Plant readily sends out offshoots which can be removed and replanted. Seeds can be obtained after flowering.
Research Links:
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3394
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/60687/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave_xylonacantha
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/281069-Agave-xylonacantha
Shipping & Availability
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There is a minimum purchase of any 4 plants for online orders. All plants shipped bare root. Other sizes may be available for pick up from our growing grounds in Fallbrook, CA. For more information, give us a call at 760-990-4762.
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