Plant · GBIF taxon 2766899
Blue Agave
Agave tequilanaAlso known as Tequila Agave, Weber Blue Agave, Mezcal Azul
Blue Agave is a striking succulent characterized by rigid, sword-shaped leaves with a powdery blue-gray patina and sharp terminal spines. After growing for seven to twelve years, a single towering flower stalk shoots up from the rosette, attracting nectar-feeding bats during night blooms. Because the plant dies after flowering, it relies on basal offset shoots to continue its local lineage.
SucculentAridDrought-Tolerant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Agave Weevil
- Cattle
- Rodents
ThreatsMonoculture pest vulnerability, habitat conversion, climate extremes
HabitatsArid scrublands, semi-desert volcanic slopes, cultivated fields
Life span7–15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAsparagales
- FamilyAsparagaceae
- GenusAgave
- SpeciesAgave tequilana
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Raw sap contains caustic oxalate crystals that cause painful skin rash; handle with care.
- Why it is dangerous
- Raw sap contains microscopic calcium oxalate raphides and saponins that trigger painful skin irritation, redness, and swelling on contact.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognizable by thick, blue-gray leaves armed with dark margin teeth and a stiff terminal spine.
- What to do
- Avoid cutting leaves without protective gear; wash skin immediately with soap and water if exposed to raw sap.
Responsible observation
- Pruning Safety: Wear thick gloves and eye protection when cutting foliage to avoid irritation from raw sap.
- Bat Watching: Observe mature blooming stalks at dusk to spot visiting nectar bats.
- Cultivation Need: Plant in full sun and fast-draining gritty soil to prevent root rot.
Pollinator (c) Juan Cruzado Cortés, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Juan Cruzado Cortés · cc-by-sa
Pest (c) psweet, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by psweet · cc-by-sa
Close Relative "Closeup of Century Plant (Agave)" by Coconino NF Photography is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Close Relative H. Zell / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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