Agave purpusorum A.Berger
Purpus' Agave
Agave purpusorum, described by Alwin Berger in 1915, is an ornamental agave species endemic to the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley in Oaxaca state, Mexico, one of the world's most diverse regions for agavaceous plants. It is characterized by medium-sized rosettes of relatively broad, dark green to bluish-green leaves with a pattern of raised markings or bands that give it exceptional decorative texture. It grows in low deciduous forest and xerophytic scrubland on calcareous and alluvial soils of the Tehuacán. Considered a highly ornamental species, it is sought after by succulent collectors and has been widely cultivated in Europe.
chevron_right edit_note Proposed edits auto-approved at +3 net votes
No pending proposals for this section.
Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Genus | Agave |
| Growth Habit | Compact to semi-open rosette, acaulescent, 50–80 cm tall and 60–100 cm in diameter. Monocarpic; flowers after 10–20 years of vegetative growth and dies. Produces few or no basal offsets; main propagation is by seeds. |
| Conservation Status | Sparingly assessed at the global level. Wild populations in Oaxaca are threatened by illegal extraction for the ornamental plant trade and by habitat degradation in the Tehuacán Valley. |
| pH Target | 7.0–8.5 |
| Type | Dry calcareous-alluvial soil, very low in organic matter, with high percolation |
Origin & Habitat
Morphology
Ovate-lanceolate leaves, 30–55 cm long and 6–10 cm wide at the base, dark green to blue-green with impressed markings (bud-printing) visible on the adaxial surface forming a decorative zigzag pattern. Margins with reddish-brown teeth 5–10 mm long. Terminal spine 2–4 cm long, dark and robust.
ecoInflorescence a dense spike 3–5 m tall. Greenish-yellow flowers, 5–7 cm long, clustered in fascicles along the scape. Flowering, unique in the plant's life, can last several weeks.
ecoShort or absent stem; the center of the rosette is composed of fibrous tissue and storage parenchyma rich in fructans. This reserve is almost entirely mobilized during the flowering and fruiting period.
ecoFibrous and shallow root system, well adapted to hard calcareous soils. The roots spread widely horizontally to capture the scarce moisture from seasonal rain. No pronounced taproot.
ecochevron_right edit_note Proposed edits auto-approved at +3 net votes
No pending proposals for this section.
Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Dry calcareous-alluvial soil, very low in organic matter, with high percolation
groups Beneficial Associations
chevron_right edit_note Proposed edits auto-approved at +3 net votes
No pending proposals for this section.
Propagation Strategy
S
A
Every 4–6 years; the species prefers to be slightly pot-bound
Annual fertilization in spring, very diluted (10% of standard dose), with low-nitrogen fertilizer. Excess fertilizer produces large, soft leaves that lose the ornamental pattern.
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
Very sharp terminal spines, dangerous to handle. The sap can cause contact dermatitis. Present saponins can be irritating. No significant documented systemic toxicity.
chevron_right edit_note Proposed edits auto-approved at +3 net votes
No pending proposals for this section.
Plant Health
Root and crown rot by Phytophthora or Pythium from overwatering or prolonged rainfall
Mealybug (Pseudococcus spp.) at leaf bases; favored by substrates with excess moisture
Agave snout weevil (Scyphophorus acupunctatus): causes sudden rosette collapse in advanced infestation stage
chevron_right edit_note Proposed edits auto-approved at +3 net votes
No pending proposals for this section.
"The bud-printing pattern of A. purpusorum is one of the most spectacular in the genus and is the main attraction for collectors. The scarcity of legal market material drives illegal wild collection; it is recommended to acquire only specimens with propagation certificates. Little documented material on iNaturalist; the species requires greater photographic field records."
chevron_right edit_note Proposed edits auto-approved at +3 net votes
No pending proposals for this section.
Scientific Integrity
🟡 MediumVote to help validate this record
Sources
Loading…
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.