The genus Agave is treated here in a wide sense to include taxa previously treated as belonging to the genera Manfreda, Prochnyanthes, Polianthes and Pseudobravoa. Not all botanists are happy with this treatment, with some feeling that these genera should remain distinct, at least until further studies have been carried out. In addition, given the high species diversity found in Agave, some feel that an alternative approach could be the recognition of several smaller genera within the current circumscription of Agave[].
There has been a long dispute about the correct name for this species. We are following Plants of the World online (http://plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:62157-1, accessed 28/08/2020) in accepting Agave ortgiesiana. However, some botanists feel that this name was not validly published and regard the later name Agave colimana Gentry as the correct name. There is a formal proposal to conserve the name Agave colimana over the earlier Agave ortgiesiana[].

Common Name:

General Information

Agave ortgiesiana is an evergreen, short-stemmed, succulent plant forming a rosette of leaves that can be 40 - 60cm tall and 100 - 120cm in diameter. The leaves on mature plants can each be 40 - 70cm long and 10 - 25mm wide near the base. After several years of growth, a flowering stem that can be around 2 - 3 metres tall is produced, after which the rosette will die[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of fibre.
Agave ortgiesiana has a relatively small range, but it occurs in several protected areas and the population is stable. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

Many Agave species have strong, sharp spines on the leaves and leaf tips.
In theory at least, the flowers, nectar, immature flowering stem and the centre of the rosette of all Agave species is edible and, with proper preparation, can provide a sweet, tasty foodstuff. Some species, however, contain relatively high levels of saponins (which makes them taste bitter) and some other compounds which can cause bellyache, and so these would only be eaten in times of desperation. In addition, many people may find these foods to be strongly laxative the first few times they eat them[].

Botanical References

Range

Southern N. America - southwest Mexico (Colima, Jalisco, Michoacán)

Habitat

Rocky substrate and outcrops in subtropical dry forest; at elevations from 20 - 2,100 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Bats
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Agave species are found mainly in the arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern N. America, especially in Mexico, extending from the warm temperate zone to the tropics often at moderate elevations. Many species can withstand at least a few degrees of frost, but only in drier regions and where soils are very well-drained.
Agave species generally require a sunny position, succeeding in most soils of medium-fertility so long as they are very well-drained. Most species are undemanding as to the soil pH, though those found in the wild on limestone soils will grow better in neutral to alkaline conditions. Plants are generally very tolerant of dry conditions and of extended periods of drought[].
Most Agave species are monocarpic, individual rosettes living for a number of years without flowering before sending up an often very large flowering stem and then dying after flowering and setting seed.
Individual plants take about 7 - 15 years in their native habitat, considerably longer in colder climates, before flowering[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the leaves has been used to make ropes and cordage[].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a container in a light position. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15 - 20°c[, ]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of well-drained soil when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position until they are at least 10cm tall before planting out.
Offsets and suckers can be potted up at any time they are available.
Bulbils, where produced, are an easy method of propagation. Simply pot them up and plant out at the beginning of a growing season when they are 10cm or more tall.

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