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A. difformis have very ornamental banded and stripped leaves with
contrasting white teeth.
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Description:
It is a rather vigorous, but variable sukering species. The rosettes
are, succulent, open spaced, subacaulescent 45 to 150 cm in diameter and tall.
Leaves: 40-80 cm long, 3-6 cm wide.
Polymorphic, long-ensiform,
straight or falcate or sinuous, stiffly ascending, pale blue to grey-green.
Each leaf characteristically have a broad creamy-green band down the
centre of the
adaxial part (upper surface) of each leaf and dark green thin
stripes in the
abaxial (lower surface) of the leaf.
Margins: ± ondulate, with variable firm
or detachable white, grey or brown teeth, generally 5-10 mm long 2-3 cm
apart, rarely double, occasionally with small intermittent teeth.
Terminal spine: Typically 1-3 cm long, very sharp,
conical-subulate, dark brown to grey.
Flower: It produces a waxy-glaucous, spicate, slender,
scape bearing flowers in the upper ⅓ of the
inflorescence.
flowers 30-40 mm long yellowish-green and pink. tube 2,5-3,5 mm long.
Lobes equal, 15-18 mm long.
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Cultivation: Agave
difformis is a relatively easy-to-grow species. Need a very
well-drained, soil. It is theoretically hardy to -7° C ,
particularly when dry . It grows fairly
fast in summer if provided with copious water but allows to dry
thoroughly before watering again. During the winter months, one should
only water enough to keep the leaves from shrivelling. They do well in
full sun or a lightly shaded area. Plants cultivated outdoors are
drought tolerant and takes blasting heat and full sun.
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Propagation: By
suckers which often are found growing around the base of the
plant, Remove the basal suckers (if available) in spring or summer
and let the cuttings dry for a few days before inserting in compost or
by seed.
Use:
In Mexico, where it's from, the locals
crush the leaves and use that as a form of soap.
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Family: Agavaceae
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Scientific name:
Agave difformis Berger
In: Agaven, 95-96,
1915
Origin:
San Luis Potosi &
Hidalgo, Mexico
Habitat:
Grows on coarse limestone rocky soils, in the arid side of the sierra
Madre Oriental. 1500-1900 m of altitude.
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
Common English Names include: Century plant, American aloe
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The dorsal side of the leaves is pale grey-green with dark green strips,
while the ventral side is blue-green with a broad creamy-green band down
the centre of each leaf.
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Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and
cultivars of plants belonging to the
Agave lophanta/lechugulla
complex
(This
Taxon
has lots of synonyms whit several controversial varieties and subspecies
and comprises a multitude of different forms, but where each form
is linked to others by populations of plants with intermediate
characteristics):
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