Agave asperrima aka Rough Agave

Agave asperrima is an evergreen succulent in the asparagus family. Its common names include rough century plant and maguey rasposo. It comes from southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. It grows in desert scrub on plains, ridges, and canyons. Wild plants grow in sand, gravel, and rocky ground. Many sites have soils rich in lime. The species also occurs in dry grassland and oak woods.

Each plant forms a broad rosette with little visible stem. Some plants have a short, thick stem at the base. Rosettes reach 2.3–3.3 feet [0.7–1 metre] tall. They spread 4.9–6.6 feet [1.5–2 metres] across. Mature plants may hold about 30–40 leaves. The stiff, blue-green leaves have a rough surface and deep grooves. They spread outward, then bend back toward the ground. Leaves widen above the base and taper to long points. Strong spines line the edges and end each leaf. Brown tip spines reach 0.13–0.30 feet [0.04–0.09 metres] long.

After several years, the plant sends up a tall flower stem. LLIFLE gives a height near 14.8 feet [4.5 metres]. Useful Tropical Plants reports 13.1–23 feet [4–7 metres]. Branches near the top carry clusters of upright yellow flowers. The stamens project beyond the flower lobes. Bloom starts in June and continues through summer. The fruit forms oblong capsules with pointed ends. Each capsule holds small seeds. The rosette dies after flowering, but its suckers can live on.

In gardens, give this agave full sun and sharp drainage. LLIFLE recommends slightly acid soil with sand or gravel. Let the soil dry fully between waterings. It suits rock gardens, succulent beds, borders, and Mediterranean-style planting. Its firm shape also works as a single specimen. Plants stay smaller when grown in pots. Underground stems and basal suckers can form dense patches. Grow new plants from seeds or detached suckers. Let detached suckers dry for several days before planting.

People use this species to make a distilled drink like mezcal. The supplied evidence does not establish whether raw parts are safe to eat. Its sharp leaf spines pose a clear physical hazard. Useful Tropical Plants reports no known medicinal uses. It lists the species as Least Concern, citing a 2019 assessment. Past harvests for alcohol caused declines in some Mexican sites.