Agave colorata
Mezcal Ceniza
This agave reaches about 2’ tall and wide, and in nature rarely offsets, though in cultivation they can offset more often. Like all agaves, this species is monocarpic (blooms at the end of its life). It has yellow to orange flowers atop 10’ bloom spikes.
Agave colorata is probably pollinated by bats, as well as many other diurnal and nocturnal pollinators (bees, wasps, flower flies, moths, hummingbirds, etc).
Like most medium to large agaves, this species is used for making food, fermented drink and mescal, and for fiber.
The genus Agave is derived from Greek mythology being the daughter of Cadmus, who supposedly founded the city of Thebes; it generally translates to mean “noble’. The species colorata means 'colored'.
Found in palms canyons, desert scrub forests, and oak grassland forests of coastal northwestern Mexico (Sonora, northern Sinaloa).
Bloom stalk, photo by Pamela Núñez, iNaturalist
Typical Agave colorata habitat, photo by Usvaldo GC, iNaturalist
This specimen helps you understand why it got the species name colorata, photo by Sofía Vargas, iNaturalist