Agave deserti (Century Plant, Desert Agave)

Photographs

My photos:

This colony with two blooms was photographed in Anza Borrego in February. The photo below shows the stalk as it begins to flower. It looks for all the world like a giant stalk of asparagus.

More photos:

Some closer photos of the flowers.

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Liliaceae

In the garden:

Desert Agave is a clumping, almost stemless plant that usually grows in colonies, new plants being produced by basal lateral shoots. The individual plants are several feet wide. It has thick, succulent leaves, which are triangular and tipped with a dark, terminal spine. Each leaf has straight or curved pale prickles which line both margins. In the spring, some of the older plants in a colony will send up 10 foot stems which terminate in short, branched clusters of yellow blooms. After flowering, the foliage clump dies, leaving behind suckers which grow into new plants. It is drought tolerant; it will shrivel from serious drought, but will plump up again when watered or rained on. However, it requires some moisture and should be watered once a month if there is no rain. It is fire resistant.

In the wild:

Desert Agave is native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. It occurs in washes and dry, rocky slopes, below 5000 feet. Take a look at this SFSU Geography 316 class project for some interesting information about this plant.

Ethnobotany:

The fibers were used by native people for nets, woven sandals, and other applications. It was also used for food, and could be dried for storage. The thorns were used as a tool.

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines

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