Agave parviflora

Osaka Prefectural Flower Garden, Osaka, Japan

The specific epithet parviflora means "small-flowered".[3]

This agave produces a small rosette up to 25 cm (10 in) tall by 20 cm (8 in) wide. The succulent leaves are up to 20 cm (8 in) long and are a waxy dark green with white markings. The leaf margins have peeling fibers. The plant produces an inflorescence 1–2 m (3–7 ft)tall with cream or pale yellow flowers in summer.[4] The flowers are pollinated by bees such as bumblebees.[2] In bloom, hummingbirds are attracted by this agave.[5] It lives between 10-15 years before flowering.[6] When it flowers, it grows an up to 7 feet tall spike-like stalk with light yellow or cream colored flowers. The flowers come in groups of 1-4 flowers, mostly in spring. After blooming, the agave dies.[7] The fruit is small ovoid capsules that is between 6-10 millimeters in diameter. The seeds are wedge shaped and half round.[8] The plant has slow to moderate growth. The leaves are strongly whorled and grow tightly around ramets. The leaves are also narrow and stiff and taper to a sharp point. The texture is medium coarse. If the roots are chronically damp, A. parviflora might get Black root rot (Thielaviopsis basicola).[9]

Subspecies of the plant include ssp. parviflora[10] and ssp. densiflora.[11]

It grows in semi-desert grasslands, oak woodlands, and other dry and rocky places.[9] It is a rare species that has limited distribution in Arizona and parts of Northern Mexico. The state of Arizona considers Agave parviflora as endangered and protects it as highly safeguarded. The US Forest Service designated it as a Sensitive Species. Since this species is federally endangered, it is illegal to collect this plant. [6] It commonly grows at elevations between 3,000 to 5,000 feet (900 to 1,520 m).[7]

This species is the smallest agave in Arizona and is sought by collectors. For this reason the species has declined in its native habitat. There are only about two dozen natural populations in Arizona. Other threats to the species include road construction and mining.[2] However, because the population appears to be stable and it grows in several protected areas, it is not considered by the IUCN to be threatened.[1]

The plant is valued in cultivation and has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[12][13]

The leafs and the heart of the plant are baked and eaten. This species is the sweetest and most edible of Agave. However, it is commonly not eaten as it is also the smallest of its genus. It is used to make the distilled liquor Mezcal. Mezcal can be made out of any Agave species, although around 7 species are the most common and favorited.[14]

• USDA Plants Profile for Agave parviflora