Agave attenuata | Asparagaceae | foxtail agave
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Agave attenuata, or the foxtail agave, is an aesthetically pleasing tropical plant valued for its soft rosettes of bluish-green, gray or glaucous leaves. Originating from a woody stalk, the rosettes are capable of growing up to eight feet tall and five feet wide, and are completely spineless, being one of the few agave in cultivation that are entirely safe to handle.
As with all agave, the foxtail agave will only flower after reaching ten years of age or older, and will die immediately after developing the stalk of yellow-white blooms. Culturally, this species has been used as a natural snail control that rivals synthetic molluscicides, and as an emergency replacement for tapeworm medication.
Outside of the conservatory, Agave attenuata can be found on the University of Arizona Arboretum grounds by the ROTC building between South Hall and Saguaro Hall, entirely free from any damage by snail pests. However, because the foxtail agave is a tropical species, it has a high water requirement and is very sensitive to scalding or freezing temperatures. As a result, the agave on campus are not as robust as the conservatory collection, although they have become healthier after the frequent summer rain!
As with all agave, the foxtail agave will only flower after reaching ten years of age or older, and will die immediately after developing the stalk of yellow-white blooms. Culturally, this species has been used as a natural snail control that rivals synthetic molluscicides, and as an emergency replacement for tapeworm medication.
Outside of the conservatory, Agave attenuata can be found on the University of Arizona Arboretum grounds by the ROTC building between South Hall and Saguaro Hall, entirely free from any damage by snail pests. However, because the foxtail agave is a tropical species, it has a high water requirement and is very sensitive to scalding or freezing temperatures. As a result, the agave on campus are not as robust as the conservatory collection, although they have become healthier after the frequent summer rain!
You can learn more about Agave attenuata by visiting the Plant Science Club and Arboretum webpages!
