Biology:Agave titanota

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Short description: Species of flowering plant

Agave titanota
Agave titanota 1zz.jpg
A. titanota, United States Botanic Garden (David Stang, 2006)
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
Species:
A. titanota
Binomial name
Agave titanota
Gentry[2]

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]

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]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q391922 entry