Shaw's Agave
ExplorePlants
Shaw's Agave
Agave shawii
Shaw's Agave is a special plant with thick, spiky leaves that can grow very tall. It loves sunny places and can survive in dry areas, making it a tough little plant!
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The Shaw's Agave is a striking plant with a dense rosette of thick, sword-shaped leaves. These blue-green to grayish-green leaves feature distinctive reddish-brown margins and sharp teeth. A towering flower stalk, up to 4 meters tall, emerges bearing clusters of yellow flowers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyAsparagaceaeGenusAgave
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Bats help pollinate its flowers under the desert night sky!
Its roasted heart was a tasty, traditional food source for centuries!
The giant flower stalk can grow taller than two grown-ups!
This agave can wait over 30 years before blooming just once!
Special abilities
Ability
Water Wisdom
Shaw's Agave can store water in its thick, succulent leaves that helps it survive long dry periods in arid environments.
Ability
Spiky Shield
Shaw's Agave has razor-sharp teeth and a spine on its leaves that help it defend against hungry animals.
Ability
One Grand Finale
Shaw's Agave can save energy for decades to produce one giant flower stalk, ensuring its seeds spread far and wide.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-60 cm
- Spread
- 60-120 cm
- Flower Size
- 3-5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late winter to spring
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Bat
Ecological connections
pollinates
Lesser Long-nosed Bat
Leptonycteris yerbabuenae
Visits flowers at night to drink nectar and spread pollen.
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar and pollen from the abundant yellow flowers.
eaten by
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Deer may browse on younger, softer leaves despite the spines.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Succulent
Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Be careful around the sharp leaves of Shaw's Agave; it's best to admire it from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Shaw's Agave?
The easiest way to identify Shaw's Agave is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Shaw's Agave?
30-60 cm
How wide does Shaw's Agave spread?
60-120 cm
How big are the flowers on Shaw's Agave?
3-5 cm
When does Shaw's Agave bloom?
Late winter to spring
Is Shaw's Agave edible?
Yes
Is Shaw's Agave toxic?
Mild
What is Shaw's Agave's lifecycle?
Perennial
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