Agave pelona Gentry
Bald Agave
Agave pelona is one of the most unusual agaves of the Sonoran Desert: its leaves completely lack marginal teeth, giving the plant an unarmed appearance. The leaves are stiff, bright glaucous-green with white margins and a reddish terminal spine. The solitary rosette reaches up to 90 cm in diameter. The species is monocarpic: it blooms only once in its lifetime (spring–summer), producing a showy reddish-purple flower spike up to 4 m tall, then dies. It is critically endangered, confined to three small mountain ranges of extremely arid northwestern Sonora.
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Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Genus | Agave |
| Growth Habit | Solitary acaulescent rosette, no offsets; slow-growing on steep rocky slopes. |
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered (CR) – IUCN. Extremely restricted range limited to three mountain ranges in Sonora; threatened by grazing, illegal collection, and climate change. |
| pH Target | 7.0 – 8.0 |
| Type | Rocky-stony, well-drained soils with low organic content; calcareous or volcanic slope. |
Origin & Habitat
Morphology
Rigid, linear-lanceolate, 35–45 cm long × 3–5 cm wide; lustrous glaucous-green; margins entirely smooth (toothless); reddish terminal spine 2–3 cm long.
ecoTubular-campanulate, 55–70 mm long, deep red to purple; grouped in umbellate panicle atop a 3–4 m scape; pollinated mainly by bats and hummingbirds.
ecoAcaulescent (stem very reduced); floral scape erect, robust, up to 4 m tall, with triangular bracts.
ecoFibrous, shallow and extensive root system; adapted to capture scarce rainfall in rocky substrates.
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Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Rocky-stony, well-drained soils with low organic content; calcareous or volcanic slope.
groups Beneficial Associations
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Propagation Strategy
G
O
Every 3–5 years or when roots fill the container; preferably in spring.
Minimal fertilization: one application of diluted low-nitrogen fertilizer in spring.
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
Leaves contain calcium oxalates and saponins; the terminal spine can cause puncture wounds. No serious systemic toxicity known.
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Plant Health
Root rot (Phytophthora spp.) – high risk from overwatering or poor drainage.
Mealybugs (Pseudococcus spp.) – attacks leaf bases; treat with neem oil.
Agave snout weevil (Scyphophorus acupunctatus) – lethal borer that destroys the piña; no effective cure, remove infected plant.
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"Described by Howard Scott Gentry in 1972. The only species in the Deserticolae group completely lacking marginal teeth, distinguishing it from all other Sonoran agaves. Critical status: fewer than 2,000 wild plants estimated."
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Scientific Integrity
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Sources
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Discussion
Disclaimer
This species record is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Jardín Roca Negra does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data. Content is community-curated and may be subject to revision; it should not replace advice from a qualified botanist. This species may be toxic, invasive, or subject to legal restrictions — verify before handling or cultivating. Jardín Roca Negra accepts no liability for any harm arising from reliance on this information. Images are reproduced under Creative Commons or equivalent free licenses; credits are noted below each image.