Agave Americana
ExplorePlants
Agave Americana
Agave americana
Agave Americana, also known as the century plant, has thick, spiky leaves that can grow very large! They are known for their beautiful flowers that bloom only once.
Habitat: Deserts and dry regions
Appearance
The Agave Americana is a massive succulent, forming a dense rosette of thick, fleshy, blue-green leaves. Each leaf is armed with sharp marginal teeth and a long, needle-like terminal spine, making it visually distinct from spineless succulents.
KingdomPlantaePhylumStreptophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyAsparagaceaeGenusAgave
Category
PlantsRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
2
Interesting facts
Its massive flower stalk can shoot up almost a foot (30cm) every single day!
Native peoples used agave leaves to make strong ropes, clothes, and even paper.
Some of its leaves are so sharp, they were historically used as needles and pins!
The 'Century Plant' can live for decades before blooming once and then dying!
Special abilities
Ability
Water Storage Tanks
Agave Americana has thick, fleshy leaves that store large amounts of water, helping it survive long droughts in arid environments.
Ability
Nighttime Breather
Agave Americana can open its pores at night to collect carbon dioxide, minimizing water loss during hot, dry days.
Ability
Clone Creator
Agave Americana produces 'pups' or offsets around its base, allowing it to spread and create colonies.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 150-900 cm
- Spread
- 200-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 7-10 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring-Summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Southern long-nosed bat
Leptonycteris curasoae
Feeds on nectar, transferring pollen as it moves between flowers.
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar and pollen from the numerous flowers.
eaten by
Collared Peccary
Pecari tajacu
Consumes the leaves and rootstock, especially during drought.
Traits
Everblooming
Everblooming plants produce flowers continuously or in repeated flushes over a long period.
Thorny Stem
Pertaining to plants that have stems covered with sharp, pointed projections for defense.
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.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
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.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Agave Americana?
150-900 cm
How wide does Agave Americana spread?
200-300 cm
How big are the flowers on Agave Americana?
7-10 cm
When does Agave Americana bloom?
Spring-Summer
Is Agave Americana edible?
Yes
Is Agave Americana toxic?
Mild
What is Agave Americana's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Agave Americana pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
