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Agave verdensis

Hodgson & Salywon

Sacred Mountain Agave

G2Imperiled Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G2ImperiledGlobal Rank
HighThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.888461
Element CodePMAGA01120
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderAsparagales
FamilyAsparagaceae
GenusAgave
Concept Reference
Hodgson, W.C., and A.M. Salywon. 2013. Two new Agave species (Agavaceae) from central Arizona and their putative pre-Columbian domesticated origins. Brittonia 65(1): 5-15.
Taxonomic Comments
Hodgson and Salywon (2013) describe Agave verdensis as a new species. It is thought to have originated as a pre-Columbian domesticate (Hodgson and Salywon 2013).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2020-10-23
Change Date2013-04-09
Edition Date2020-10-23
Edition AuthorsSchuetze, S. and. A. Tomaino (2013), rev. A. Tomaino (2020)
Threat ImpactHigh
Range Extent250-1000 square km (about 100-400 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 80
Rank Reasons
Agave verdensis is endemic to central Arizona where it is known from 21 occurrences. Drought is a threat. The species is thought to have originated as an ancient cultivar.
Range Extent Comments
Agave verdensis is known only from central Arizona.
Occurrences Comments
There are 21 occurrences in the NatureServe Network Database (as of October 2020).
Threat Impact Comments
Threatened by drought (McGivney 2018). Motorized recreation is a potential threat (USFS, not dated).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Agave verdensis "grows on rocky, limestone, sandstone or clayey-loamy igneous derived soils, in semi-arid desert grassland to pinyon-juniper woodland" (Hodgson and Salywon 2013).

Reproduction

Relies on vegetative reproduction through the formation of pups by the rhizomes (Hodgson and Salywon 2013).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandWoodland - ConiferGrassland/herbaceousDesert
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN2
ProvinceRankNative
ArizonaS2Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
6 - Human intrusions & disturbanceRestricted - smallUnknown—
6.1 - Recreational activitiesRestricted - smallUnknown—
11 - Climate change & severe weatherLarge (31-70%)Serious or 31-70% pop. decline—
11.2 - DroughtsLarge (31-70%)Serious or 31-70% pop. decline—

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Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL, Long-lived, EVERGREEN
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (1)
Arizona (1)
AreaForestAcres
Walker MountainCoconino National Forest6,382
References (6)
  1. Arizona Game and Fish Department. 2014. <i>Agave verdensis. </i>Unpublished abstract compiled and edited by the Heritage Data Management System, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, AZ. 5 pp. [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BwLs0i-QWFssTHlpa3czaTk4WG8]
  2. Hodgson, W.C., and A.M. Salywon. 2013. Two new <i>Agave </i>species (Agavaceae) from central Arizona and their putative pre-Columbian domesticated origins. Brittonia 65(1): 5-15.
  3. Laurenzi, A. and J.R. Spence. 2012. Conservation priority setting for Arizona G1 and G2 plant species: A regional assessment.
  4. McGivney, A. 2018. In search of ancient agaves. Arizona Highways 0218: 38-43.
  5. Parker, R. 2018. Agaves of Arízona Part II. Cactus and Succulent Journal, 90(1): 20-28.
  6. U.S. Forest Service, No date. Categorical exclusion biological assessment White Hills motorized trail Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, Tavapai County, Arizona.