Agave durangensis

The Agave durangensis, known as Durango agave or cenizo, is native to the Sierra Madre Occidental in north-western Mexico, mainly in the states of Durango and Zacatecas, where it grows on dry, rocky slopes in grassland and open oak woodland. Described by Howard Scott Gentry in 1982, it is the traditional agave used to distil the mezcal of Durango. It forms a robust, open rosette of broad, rigid leaves in shades of grey, glaucous blue or almost whitish, which inspired the local name cenizo, meaning ash-colored. The wavy leaf margins carry large, irregular brown to grey teeth, often hooked, and each leaf ends in a long, strong terminal spine. Mature plants may produce offsets and, when they flower, send up a tall branched stalk with yellow flowers. Broad grey to whitish-blue leaves Bold, irregular and often hooked marginal teeth Long, strong terminal spine Traditional mezcal agave of Durango Good tolerance of drought and cold when kept dry A tough and decorative species, Agave durangensis grows best in full sun and very free-draining soil, and tolerates moderate frost provided it stays dry in winter. Its pale foliage and dramatic teeth make it a striking focal point in dry gardens, rockeries and large containers. IMPORTANT: The pictures show the mother plant, which is not for sale. The offer includes a plant of the size selected.