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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Agavaceae (now Asparagaceae) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Bloomtime: Infrequent |
| Synonyms: [A. marmorata, Hort 'Turtle Teeth'] |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 4-5 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Agave gigantensis 'Rancho Soledad' (Gigenta Moutains Century Plant) - A very attractive solitary rosette-forming succulent to 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide with broad gray leaves with prominent teeth on wavy mammilate projections along the leaf margin but having no teeth near the long tapering tip. Plant in full sun and give little to no irrigation. Hardy to 25F. The species comes from the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Puebla. The specific epithet 'marmorata' is in reference to the grayish marble-like hue and texture of the leaves, though this selection does not exhibit this. This species is variable with some plants being quite large while others, such as this selection, are of more modest size; some have leaves that are a dusky green and sometimes these leaves are distinctly striped in pale blue while others are entirely green or gray. This selection is smaller than most Agave marmorata we have seen and has very wide thick light-gray leaves and prominent mammilate margins. It also seems to remain more upright and lies over less than the typical species. We purchased this plant at Rancho Soledad Nursery in 2006 labeled as Agave marmorata. Since it was very different from other Agave marmorata we had in our collection, or had seen in other gardens, we have always called it Agave marmorata 'Rancho Soledad' to distinguish it but after conversations with many other agavephiles we conclude that this plant is more likely a selection of Agave gigantensis because the leaves are smoother, leaf margins less deeply mammilate with a heavy corneous margin lacking teeth towards the tip. The name 'gigantensis' so given to this species is from its natural distribution along the Sierra de la Gigenta range on the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula. In our 2013 catalog we have changed the name to Agave gigantensis 'Rancho Soledad'.
The information about Agave gigantensis 'Rancho Soledad' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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