Agave potatorum 'Spawn'

Agave potatorum can be found widely throughout southern Puebla and Oaxaca between 4000'-7500', typically in sloping pine-oak woodland. The Nahuatl name, which is the language of the Aztecs, was Papalometl, meaning 'Butterfly'. I always liked this name as the plants can look like a fluttering butterfly, if you look at it right. The botanical name comes from 'potator', meaning 'of the drinkers,' likely due to its usage for a special type of mescal called 'tobal·'  Agave potatorum are solitary plants and shoot up a tall 10-20' thin multi-branched inflorescence, packed with small light green to yellow flowers, often tinged with red or purple on the buds. The plants are hardy to 25-30 degrees Fahrenheit and have a moderate growth rate to about 2-3' across and 1-2' high. The beautiful open rosettes can be green, blue or blue-gray, and do well in containers or used as a bold contrast against softer foliage plants in the landscape.