Agave parryi
Family: Asparagaceae, formerly Agavaceae​
​Common Name: Parry's agave
Origin: Agave parryi has a widespread range throughout North America, occupying the upper Sonoran and lower transitional zones, at altitudes of 1,200 to 2,800 meters above sea level. The species is distributed throughout the entirety of Arizona, the mountains of western Chihuahua and Durango, southeastern New Mexico, and extreme western Texas. The type specimen was found within Graham County, Arizona.
Description: A. parryi is a compact, medium sized agave with glaucous leaves, oval in shape and lined with dark marginal spines. The leaves end in a black terminal spine, and create a symmetrical rosette, forming dense colonies as agave offset. Blooming occurs in summer, during which a tall (up to 4m) flowering stalk develops, branched with numerous golden blooms.
  • Interesting Features:
    • Agave parryi is often known as the “century plant” due to its long lifespan, taking as many as 30 years to flower. After blooming, however, the agave will die, as A. parryi is a monocarpic species.
    • Parry's agave has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for outstanding value in cultivation.
  • Uses: This species has been used extensively by Southwestern Indigenous tribes, including for food, beverages, soap, medicine, in crafting, and as lances. The core can be roasted, and then either devoured or pounded into cakes. Additionally, is possible to make mezcal from A. parryi, although Agave tequilana is more commonly used for this purpose.

Cultivation and Care:
  • Watering: Low
    • Parry’s agave is drought tolerant and should be watered sparingly during the summer. Thoroughly soak and allow soil to completely dry in between waterings, but suspend irrigation in winter.
  • Soil: A. parryi should be planted in cactus or succulent soil with a porous mixture of sand, pumice, loam, or peat moss. Soil should be well-draining, with a pH between 6.1 and 7.8. Avoid manures if planting young seedlings.
  • Lighting: Provide full to partial sun, and afternoon shade on hot days.
  • Propagation: Agave parryi can be propagated by dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms, and bulbs, as well as through seed and offsets. Agave will slowly develop basal suckers, which should be removed during spring or summer, and dried before planting.
  • Cold Tolerance: -5°F, USDA hardiness zones 5a to 11.
  • Special Accommodations: Once or twice a year, feed with a slow release fertilizer that is low in nitrogen. Agave parryi is one of the most cold hardy agave, but should still be protected from freezing, especially if moisture is present.
    • Always wear gloves when handling to protect against the sharp spines and irritating sap, which can cause reddening and blistering.

Sources:
  1. Llifle Encyclopedia of Succulents
  2. North Carolina State University
  3. Wildflower
  4. Missouri Botanical Garden
  5. Dave's Garden
  6. Garden
  7. US Forest Service
  8. Best Plants