Agave shawii
Common name: 
Shaw's Agave
Coastal Agave
Pronunciation: 
a-GAW-vee SHAW-ee-eye
Family: 
Asparagaceae
Genus: 
Synonyms: 
Agave shawii var. shawii
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf evergreen shrub, slow growing, a small to medium sized agave.  Forms a basal rosette of green leaves, each ovate and 20-50 cm long and 8-20 cm wide with a short (2-4 cm) terminal spine and small marginal teeth (0.2-0.4 cm).  It produces a large flower cluster (panicle), 2-4 m tall (appearing like a giant asparagus stalk) with 8-14 lateral clusters that carry a large number of yellow or reddish flowers (6-10 cm long).  It may take 30 years to bloom; the rosette dies thereafter.  The fruit is 5-7 cm long, usually oblong to ovoid, and contains small black seeds. 
  • Sun, may require shade in hot inland climates, well-drained soil, little irrigation, summer irrigation may be harmful.  A good container plant.

  • Hardy to USDA Zone 8     An endangered species that is rare in southern California but more common in coastal northern Baja California. Historically found on Coastal bluffs and nearby mesas and foothills.

  • shawii:  in honor of Henry Shaw (1880-1889), the founder of the Missouri Botanical Garden

Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, in habitat

    plant habit, in habitat

  • leaves

    leaves

  • teeth on the leaf margin

    teeth on the leaf margin