Description
Agave bovicornuta – A very attractive small to medium sized solitary growing agave from rocky slopes between 3,000 and 6,000 feet in elevation in western Mexico (Sonora, Sinaloa and Chihuahua) that grows to 2 ½ to 3 feet tall by 4 to 5 feet wide with an open rosette of 24 to 30 inch long by 5 ½ to 6 ½ inches wide yellow-green to medium green leaves that are widest in the middle. The leaf blades are attractively edged with large reddish teeth on large teats, some recurving back towards the base and others towards the leaf tip, which has a short stout terminal spine. The broad leaf surfaces are further decorated by impressions (crenulated bud imprints) made by the margins of other leaves as they emerge from the center of growth and the new leaves have an attractive satiny finish. When the plant matures, which usually takes 12 years or more, it produces a 16 to 23 foot tall branched inflorescence bearing 2 inch long yellow and green flowers As this plant does not sucker, it will need replacement after flowering . Plant in full sun to light shade (required in hot interior valleys and deserts) in a well drained soil and irrigate infrequently or more occasionally for more rapid growth. Noted as hardy to around 20° F.zones 8-11
