Agave titanota
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Agave titanota, the chalk agave, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. It is a medium-sized evergreen succulent perennial native to Oaxaca, Mexico.[3] It often reaches 1-2 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide.[4]
| Agave titanota | |
|---|---|
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| A. titanota, United States Botanic Garden (David Stang, 2006) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Agavoideae |
| Genus: | Agave |
| Species: | A. titanota |
| Binomial name | |
| Agave titanota | |
The plant forms a solitary rosette of broad whitish green leaves with variable spines, which are 1-2 feet long and 5 inches wide, typically narrower toward the base and widest near the tip.[4] Occasionally, it produces offsets.[5] Mature plants may produce a flower head from 3m to 6m tall with yellow flowers. As it is monocarpic, this signals the death of the plant.[6]
It can tolerate temperatures of −3 °C (27 °F), but in practice is best grown in a sheltered spot without severe frosts.[3] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7] This plant is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 9-11. It may be susceptible to scale insects and chlorosis resulting from magnesium deficiency.[5]
Cultivars include 'White Ice', 'Filigree', and 'Solar Eclipse.'[6]