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Agave kewensis
Agave kewensis, commonly known as Grijalva's agave, is a species of agave plant in the family Asparagaceae. It was described by Georg Albano von Jacobi (Prussian botanist) in 1866.
Agave kewensis is endemic to Chiapas and Oaxaca, Mexico, where it thrives in arid montane zones. Specifically, the species range resides near the two towns, Sierra de Juárez and Sierra de Nacajuca in Oaxaca, and Sierra del Aguila y San Pablo in Chiapas. Its known populations grow within humid ravines and canyons, at average elevations of 300–3,000 metres (980–9,840 ft). It primarily enjoys rocky outcrops and decomposed limestone substrate. The species is seen growing near abundant moss cover, which has water droplet buildup when its rains, but also keeps the plant somewhat cool during hot seasons.
Agave kewensis is commonly used as an ornamental plant for gardens, private collections, and botanical parks, but is being overcollected from its natural habitat in the wild, hence creating a population decline. Other uses may include: brush for fires, medicinal purposes, and used for local cuisine (although the species petals and other plant matter can be toxic in great amounts).
Agave abisaii · Agave americana var. franzosini · American century plant · Century plant · Agave anomala · Agave arcedianoensis · Arizona century plant · Maguey · Fox Tail Agave · Cow's Horn Agave · Agave brittoniana · Cayman Agave
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Agave kewensis by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
