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[2nd Image]
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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Agavaceae (now Asparagaceae) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Green |
| Bloomtime: Infrequent |
| Height: <1 foot |
| Width: <1 foot |
| Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): No Irrigation required |
| Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F |
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A small clustering agave with rosettes 6 to 12 inches tall by a foot wide with smooth dark green leaves. This plant has not been cultivation yet but guessing it will tolerate full coastal sun to light shade with occasional infrequent irrigation. It hardiness is not known other than its ability to tolerate the mild winter temperatures that have occurred in Santa Barbara in recent years. This plant is found on limestone rocky outcrops in oak-pine woodlands and montane rain forests in the Mexican states of Querétaro and San Luis Potosí. This is a recently described species by Raquel Galván and Sergio Zamudio first published in the October 2013 issue of Acta Botánica Mexicana>/i> (no.105). This species has characteristics that include it in the Striatae group and within this group it is most closely related to A. dasylirioides, A. petrophila and A. rzedowskiana (described in 2003) and it is closest in size and habit to the later, forming a cluster of many rosettes 35-75 cm wide and holding many (65-230) leaves. Its leaves are more flexible and smoother than A. rzedowskiana and has shorter flower stalks (42-170 cm vs. 150-245 cm) that are decumbent and hold green flowers that have a short basal tube while A. rzedowskiana has more open purple-green campulate flowers on an upright inflorescence. The specific epithet comes from the Latin root gracilis meaning slender, presumably in reference to its slender narrow leaves.
This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We will also incorporate comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information about this plant, in particular if this information is contrary to what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Agave gracielae.
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