Agave shawii var. shawii
Shaw agave, Shaw Agave, Shaw's agave, Shaw's agave
Sula Vanderplank (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY
Family: Agavaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Agave shawii var. shawii (Shaw agave) is a native California shrub in the Agavaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Shaw agave is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native shrub found in southern coastal Southern California in southwest San Diego County on coastal bluffs at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from September to May, this plant produces yellow to reddish flowers in large panicle-like clusters up to 4 meters tall with striking yellow stamens. Growing as a single rosette with stems 0.5 to 2 meters tall, it forms a dramatic architectural plant with thick, rigid structure. Its leaves are narrow-ovate, 20 to 50 centimeters long, featuring distinctive marginal teeth 5 to 6 millimeters long and a sharp terminal spine 2 to 4 centimeters long. The fruit is 5.5 to 7 centimeters long, completing this remarkable coastal succulent's reproductive cycle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs, historically nearby mesas, foothills
Elevation: < 100[< 300] m
California counties: San Diego
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Agave shawii var. shawii blooms Sep-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Aloe: Agave leaves spread from central rosette without a trunk; Aloe typically has a visible stem with leaves spiraling along it.; vs Yucca: Agave has yellow-green flowers with inferior ovary; Yucca has white flowers with superior ovary.; vs Hesperoyucca: Agave has yellow-green flowers with inferior ovary; Hesperoyucca has white flowers with superior ovary.; vs Phormium: Agave has thick succulent leaves with marginal spines; Phormium has thin fibrous strap-like leaves without spines.; vs Dudleya: Agave forms large rosettes with rigid sword-like leaves; Dudleya has smaller rosettes with soft paddle-shaped leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Agave shawii var. shawii native to California?
Yes. Agave shawii var. shawii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Agave shawii var. shawii bloom?
Agave shawii var. shawii blooms Sep-May.
Where in California does Agave shawii var. shawii grow?
Agave shawii var. shawii occurs in San Diego, at elevations of < 100[< 300] m.
What plant family does Agave shawii var. shawii belong to?
Agave shawii var. shawii is in the Agavaceae family, genus Agave.
Is Agave shawii var. shawii rare or endangered?
Agave shawii var. shawii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.