Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Asparagales
Genus:
Species:
melanacantha
ID:
755237

Status:
valid

Authors:
Lem. ex Jacobi

Source:
wcs

Year:
1865

Citation Micro:
Hamburger Garten- Blumenzeitung 21: 215 (1865)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000754570

Common Names

  • Agave melanacantha
  • Black-Spined Agave
  • Melanacantha Agave

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Description

Agave melanacantha (also called Black-spined Agave, among many other common names) is a species of succulent plant native to the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico. It is a small, solitary, rosette-forming succulent with a short stem and many narrow, black-spined leaves. It is found in rocky areas, in oak and pine-oak forests, and in grasslands at elevations of 1,500–2,000 m.

Uses & Benefits

Agave melanacantha is used for making alcoholic beverages, such as tequila and mezcal. It is also used for making soap, shampoo, and other beauty products. The plant is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Agave melanacantha has white, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in the summer. The seeds are small and black and are dispersed by wind. The seedlings are small and have two cotyledons.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Agave melanacantha is a slow-growing succulent that can be propagated from seed or offsets. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Water when the soil is dry and fertilize during the growing season.

Where to Find Agave melanacantha

Agave melanacantha is native to Mexico.

Agave melanacantha FAQ

What is the scientific name of Agave melanacantha?

Agave melanacantha

What is the common name of Agave melanacantha?

Black-Thorned Agave

Where is Agave melanacantha native to?

Mexico

Species in the Agave genus

Agave acicularis, Agave acklinicola, Agave ajoensis, Agave aktites, Agave albescens, Agave albomarginata, Agave americana, Agave angustiarum, Agave angustifolia, Agave anomala, Agave antillarum, Agave apedicellata, Agave applanata, Agave arizonica, Agave arubensis, Agave asperrima, Agave atrovirens, Agave attenuata, Agave aurea, Agave avellanidens, Agave bahamana, Agave bicolor, Agave boldinghiana, Agave bovicornuta, Agave braceana, Agave bracteosa, Agave brevipetala, Agave brevispina, Agave brittoniana, Agave brunnea, Agave bulliana, Agave cacozela, Agave cajalbanensis, Agave calodonta, Agave capensis, Agave caribaeicola, Agave cerulata, Agave chamelensis, Agave chiapensis, Agave chrysantha, Agave chrysoglossa, Agave cocui, Agave collina, Agave colorata, Agave confertiflora, Agave congesta, Agave convallis, Agave cundinamarcensis, Agave cupreata, Agave datylio,

Species in the Asparagaceae family

Acanthocarpus canaliculatus, Acanthocarpus humilis, Acanthocarpus parviflorus, Acanthocarpus preissii, Acanthocarpus robustus, Acanthocarpus rupestris, Acanthocarpus verticillatus, Agave acicularis, Agave acklinicola, Agave ajoensis, Agave aktites, Agave albescens, Agave albomarginata, Agave americana, Agave angustiarum, Agave angustifolia, Agave anomala, Agave antillarum, Agave apedicellata, Agave applanata, Agave arizonica, Agave arubensis, Agave asperrima, Agave atrovirens, Agave attenuata, Agave aurea, Agave avellanidens, Agave bahamana, Agave bicolor, Agave boldinghiana, Agave bovicornuta, Agave braceana, Agave bracteosa, Agave brevipetala, Agave brevispina, Agave brittoniana, Agave brunnea, Agave bulliana, Agave cacozela, Agave cajalbanensis, Agave calodonta, Agave capensis, Agave caribaeicola, Agave cerulata, Agave chamelensis, Agave chiapensis, Agave chrysantha, Agave chrysoglossa, Agave cocui, Agave collina,

References

Charles Antoine Lemaire (1800-1871): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Lem.' in the authors string.
Georg Albano von Jacobi (1805-1874): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Jacobi' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:62114-1: Based on the initial data import