Agave palmeri
Palmer’s Agave
A fairly large agave growing 3-4’ tall and wide. The leaves tend to be long and narrow with reddish teeth along the margins, compared to other agaves in the same region. Plants rarely sucker, though they sometimes can, especially plants in cultivation. These plants are monocarpic (bloom at the end of their life). A branched flower stalk to 18 feet tall has clusters of light, green flowers.
Plant in full to part sun, in well drained soil. Low water needed when established. Hardy to 5°F.
This species is critical for pollinators, bats, hummingbirds, insects; especially for the migratory, endangered lesser long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris curasoae).
The heads, or pinas, are harvested, roasted, ground, and fermented for use as mescal; the plant in general is widely used for fiber, food, and forage.
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, palmeri, is named for Edward Palmer (1829-1911), known for his botanical collections in the region.
Found in oak woodlands and grama grasslands from 3,000-6,000 ft. in Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora, and Chihuahua.