Agave parryi huachuensis
Synonyms:
Agave applanata var. huachucensis
Agave huachucensis
Habitat:
Agave parryi huachuensis is native to the Huachuca Mountains, Arizona. It usually grows in oak woodlands and pine forests (at an altitude of 1500-2500 metres above sea level).
Description:
It is a perennial succulent. The short, grey leaves of its compact rosette present toothed margins and a brown terminal spine. After ten years of life, the plant can bloom: the flower spike can reach 5 metres height, and the yellow inflorescense is tinged in pink-red when in bud. After flowering, the Agave dies.
Cultivation:
This succulent does great outside in rock gardens. It is adaptable, but it prefers sllightly-acid, well-drained soils. It needs full sun or lightly shaded areas, and it is very resistant to drought; it is also one of the most cold-hardy Agaves. A slow-release, specific fertilizer given once or twice a year will help it grow faster.
Propagation:
Propagation can be done by seeds or by basal suckers (remove them in spring or summer, let the cuttings dry, then put them in compost).
Curiosity:
Agave parryi huachuensis , once roasted, was a traditional dish of Mescalero, a Native America Apache tribe. Beacuse of this ancient use, it was called “Mescal”.
