Agave stricta

Agave stricta

Agave stricta is a species of the genus Agave ( Agave ). An English common name is " Hedgehog Agave ".

Description

Agave stricta forms 1 to 2 m long stems that branch. It forms spherical, multi-headed roses in old age. The variable, strong, linear to lance-shaped, striped, green leaves are 25-50 cm long and 0.5 to 0.8 cm wide. The bright yellow leaf margins are finely roughened and serrated. The needle-like gray Enddorn is 1 to 2 cm long.

The eared, straight to curved inflorescence is 1.5 to 2.5 m high. The red to purple flowers are 25-30 mm long and appear in pairs on short stalks. The funnel-shaped flower tube is 8 to 10 mm long.

The egg-shaped capsule dreikammerigen fruits are 12-14 mm long and 9-10 mm wide. The black seeds are up to 3.5 mm long and 4 to 2.5 mm wide and 3 mm thick.

The flowering period extends from June to August.

Systematics and distribution

Agave stricta grows in semi-arid regions in Mexico in the states of Puebla and Oaxaca in limestone hillsides, in 1700-1850 m altitude. It is associated with numerous cacti and succulents.

The first description by Joseph Salm- Dyck Reifferscheidt has been published in 1859. Synonyms are Agave striata var stricta Baker and Agave striata subsp. stricta B.Ullrich.

Agave stricta is a member of the group Striatae. The species is related to Agave striata, however small differences in the shape, leaf and flower structure can be seen. It can tolerate short periods of frost to minus 4 ° C in dry state. Agave stricta is cultivated at the Desert Botanical Garden in Arizona.