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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Agavaceae (now Asparagaceae) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Yellow |
| Bloomtime: Infrequent |
| Synonyms: [Agave obscura, Hort., A. garciae-mendozae?] |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 1-2 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 horrida ssp. perotensis (Mexcalmetl) - A small rosette-forming succulent to 16 to 24 inches tall by 3 feet across with many dark green leaves that have large brown spines and leaf margins on new leaves that attractively turn gray-white with age. Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and give occasional to little irrigation - grows faster with some summer watering but tolerates it pretty dry. Hardy to 20°F. This should prove to be a great smaller agave for the garden or as a potted specimen. Compared to the species, the subspecies perotensis is a slightly larger plant with a denser rosette bearing more leaves that are a darker green leaves and is reputedly hardier. This plant is endemic to a limited rocky habitat between Perote in the Mexican state of Veracruz and Zacatepec to the southwest in the state of Puebla. This same plant was once distributed erroneously by the International Succulent Introductions as Agave obscura ISI 2003-10. Agave obscura is a valid species that grows not far to the north of where Agave horrida var. perotensis comes from, but is quite different and distinguishable with a more open rosette of lighter green leaves with red teeth. Some believe that the plant described as Agave garciae-mendozae from Hidalgo, Querétaro and San Luis Potosí may be the same taxa - in any case they appear to be quite similar.
The information about Agave horrida ssp. perotensis 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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