Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Wednesday Vignette; Agave shawii at the Theodore Payne Foundation

To the best of my recollection I've never seen a solitary Agave shawii. They're always in majestic clumps, like this.

As sometimes happens the blooming (bloomed) plant had a baby that followed the same schedule, although its bloomspike didn't quite hit the same highs.

I wonder what caused the burnt leaves?

From the San Marcos Growers website: "Agave shawii (Shaw's Agave) - A medium sized rosette-forming plant that grows to 2-3 feet tall in an upright fashion by 2 feet wide and suckers from the base to form large solid stands. The fleshy, dark gray-green leaves have large upwardly-curving and bent spines along the margin and a terminal spine. Plant in full sun to light shade (requires shade in inland hot climates). Little irrigation is required and regular summer irrigation is harmful to this plant. It is hardy to 25° F. An endangered species that is rare in southern California but more common in coastal northern Baja California. Great plant for massing at the top of a slope or at eye level where upright growth habit can be noted. It is also useful for adding green color into otherwise grayer succulent gardens."

It's a stunner...

Those spines!

They kind of resemble white eyelashes.

Really dangerous white eyelashes.

Weather Diary, Jan 7: Hi 58, Low 47/ Precip .11

Wednesday Vignettes are hosted by Anna at Flutter & Hum. All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

17 comments:

  1. It reminds me of carnivores plants. It definitely broadcasts danger.

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  2. That really looks lethal. What a bummer again (like Agave attenuate), that it's not hardy here. Your comment about "white eyelashes" reminded me of the Sound of Music song about "Favorite Things." That song really should mention Agaves, shouldn't it?

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    1. If I had any musical talent I would definitely have to rewrite that song.

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  3. I kind of like your Agave better than my Oak. Feels like a more accurate description of the state of affairs. Those spines... yikes!

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  4. Holy crap spiky. Images of shark teeth are flashing in my head.

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  5. Woof; what a charismatic plant. There is something about that species and its teeth. It was the first species of agave I ever grew from seed; and thus my oldest seed-grown agave. I don't mind being an annual slave to dragging its big ol pot in and out every winter here in CO.

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    1. Has your plant achieved significant size in a pot? And here's where I admit the plant sent me, years ago, it's no longer living.

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  6. I think shawii is one of the most underrated agaves. I really don't know why it's not planted more in areas that are mild enough. Maybe because it forms large clumps?

    I have a couple of small offsets that will go in my garden as soon as they have put on some size.

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    1. I think it's got to be the clumping. That scares people!

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  7. Some particularly nice teeth and fine green color in that clump. The damage looks like sun scorch. Agaves are vulnerable if it is hot enough.

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    1. That's what I figured, sun-scorch. I've seen it here. But why aren't all the leaves of the same age, facing the same direction, effected? Don't you think that's a little odd?

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  8. Those are some good-looking teeth!

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    1. "Oh Granny, what big teeth you've got!"...

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  9. Seeing this reminds me of the Little Shop of Horrors!'

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