Agave utahensis | |
---|---|
Conservation status | |
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Apparently Secure (NatureServe) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Asparagaceae |
Subfamily: | Agavoideae |
Genus: | Agave |
Species: | A. utahensis |
Binomial name | |
Agave utahensis Engelm. | |
Natural range of Agave utahensis | |
Synonyms | |
|
Agave utahensis is a species of agave known by the common name Utah agave.
Varieties of the species include the Nevada agave and Kaibab agave.
It is an uncommon plant of the United States' desert southwest, in the states of Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and California. Although plants in some areas are threatened, overall the species is stable and is considered to be of Least Concern by the IUCN.
Description
Agave utahensis is a rosette-shaped agave having blue-green sharp-spiked leaves.
The raceme inflorescence is very tall, reaching a maximum of 4 m (12 ft). It is generally yellow or yellow-green with bulbous yellow flowers. The fruits are capsules 1 to 3 centimeters long and containing black seed.
Agave utahensis can grow in clonal colonies; a 2024 survey conducted in Nevada estimated that some colonies are more than 150 years old.
Uses
Agave utahensis is cultivated as an ornamental plant. In the UK it has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
The plant was used for food and fiber by local Native American peoples such as the Havasupai. Among the Navajo, the plant is used to make blankets.
References
- ^ Hodgson, W.; Salywon, A.; Puente, R. (2020). "Agave utahensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T115698677A116354603. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T115698677A116354603.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- NatureServe. "Agave utahensis". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- The Plant List, Agave utahensis
- Zarrella, Dan (29 November 2024). "Agave utahensis Clonal Rings: Artifacts of Indigenous Resource Management". Cactus and Succulent Journal. 96 (4): 343–359. doi:10.2985/015.096.0406. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
- "Agave utahensis". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. November 2018. p. 3. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- "BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database".
External links
- Jepson Manual Treatment
- USDA Plants Profile
- Univ. of Mich. Dearborn — Ethnobotany
- Interactive Distribution Map of Agave utahensis
- Agave utahensis U.C. Photo gallery
Taxon identifiers | |
---|---|
Agave utahensis |
|
This Asparagaceae article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |
- IUCN Red List least concern species
- NatureServe apparently secure species
- Agave
- Flora of Arizona
- Flora of California
- Flora of Nevada
- Flora of Utah
- Flora of the California desert regions
- Natural history of the Mojave Desert
- Taxa named by George Engelmann
- Plants used in Native American cuisine
- Plants described in 1871
- Asparagaceae stubs