Agave univittata, the Thorn-crested Agave is most commonly known by its synonym, Agave lophantha. Howard Scott Gentry used the Agave lophantha synonym in his 1982 book 'Agaves of Continental North America' and it's a name that has stuck through common usage despite being taxonomically incorrect. Whatever you call it, Agave univittata is a gorgeous plant. A visually very striking Agave from southern Texas and northern Mexico it has dark green foliage and a pale green mid-stripe, with contrasting white marginal spines arranged along the undulating scalloped edges of each leaf. It is also a very tough Agave and hardy down to about -10C if kept dry in winter.
Agave univittata is similar to Agave lechugilla but the two are relatively easy to distinguish once you are familiar with them although both species sometimes lack their pale yellow-green midstripe. Agave univittata has wider flatter leaves whereas Agave lechuguilla tends to have thinner leaves and a habit that is more upright. Agave lechuguilla also has distinctive (although not particularly conspicuous) dark broken streaks on the outside of its foliage.
Agave univittata is a highly desirable and colourful Agave and although not rare it is an Agave that should be in every enthusiast's collection.
Recommended. Limited quantities.
Additional Information
| Order | Asparagales |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Sub-Family | Agavoideae |
| Synonyms | Agave caerulescens, Agave heteracantha, Agave heteracantha var. univittata, Agave heteracantha var. vittata, Agave lophantha, Agave lophantha var. angustifolia, Agave lophantha var. brevifolia, Agave lophantha f. caerulescens, Agave lophantha var. caerulescens, Agave lophantha var. gracilior, Agave lophantha var. pallida, Agave lophantha var. poselgeri, Agave lophantha var. subcanescens, Agave univittata var. angustifolia, Agave univittata var. brevifolia, Agave univittata var. caerulescens, Agave univittata var. caerulescens, Agave univittata var. gracilior, Agave univittata var. heteracantha, Agave univittata var. subcanescens, Agave vittata |
| Geographical Origin | USA: Texas; Mexico |
| Cultivation | Well-drained, heavily-gritted, warm spot. Full sun. Limestone in the substrate |
| Eventual Height | 80cm |
| Eventual Spread | 1m |
| Hardiness | Hardy to at least -10C. A rain shelter and fleece is a sensible precaution in most cold regions |
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