''Agave palmeri'' (also known as Palmer's century plant) is an especially large member of the genus ''
Agave
''Agave'' (; ; ) is a genus of monocots native to the hot and arid regions of the Americas and the Caribbean, although some ''Agave'' species are also native to tropical areas of North America, such as Mexico. The genus is primarily known for ...
'', in the family
Asparagaceae.
Description
''Agave palmeri'' is the largest ''
Agave
''Agave'' (; ; ) is a genus of monocots native to the hot and arid regions of the Americas and the Caribbean, although some ''Agave'' species are also native to tropical areas of North America, such as Mexico. The genus is primarily known for ...
'' species growing in the United States. It produces a basal leaf
rosette of fleshy, upright green leaves of up to in length, with jagged edges and ending in sharp, thick
spines of long. The buds are purplish. Blooming from June to August,
the flowers are pale yellow and green; they are long with six segments and
stamens,
growing on branches from the upper third of the
flower spike, which can be up to tall.
[Gentry, Howard Scott. Agaves of Continental North America. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 1992.]
Distribution and habitat
The plant is native to southern
Arizona
Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...
, southwestern
New Mexico
)
, population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano)
, seat = Santa Fe
, LargestCity = Albuquerque
, LargestMetro = Tiguex
, OfficialLang = None
, Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ke ...
,
Sonora and
Chihuahua.
It can be found in dry, rocky areas.
Cultivation
The plant is frequently cultivated as an
ornamental in other regions. It requires a large pot but is very tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including temperatures of around –10 °C.
[Complete Encyclopedia of Succulents by Zdenek Jezek and Libor Kunte]
Uses
The plant was used by Native Americans for food, drink, fiber, soap, medicine and to make lances.
References
External links
*
{{Taxonbar, from=Q391834
palmeri
Flora of the Chihuahuan Desert
Flora of the Sonoran Deserts
Flora of Arizona
Flora of Chihuahua (state)
Flora of New Mexico
Flora of Sonora
Plants described in 1875
Taxa named by George Engelmann
Garden plants of North America
Drought-tolerant plants