Agave utahensis var. eborispina

Ivory-spined agave, Ivory-Spined Agave, ivory-spined agave, ivory-spined agave

Family: Agavaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3

Ivory-spined agave is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in the northeastern Mojave Desert's Nopah Range in desert scrub and conifer woodland on calcareous outcrops at elevations of 1,100 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from May to July, this distinctive plant produces rosettes with striking ivory-white spine tips contrasting against olive-green leaves. Growing 1.5 to 3 decimeters tall, it forms compact clusters with robust architectural structure. Its leaves extend 15 to 30 centimeters long, featuring 6 to 12 marginal teeth measuring 6 to 12 millimeters and a dramatic ivory-white terminal spine reaching 10 to 20 centimeters in length. The rosettes create a sculptural, symmetrical form characteristic of desert-adapted succulents.

Habitat: Desert scrub [to conifer woodland] on calcareous outcrops

Bloom period: May-Jul

Elevation: 1100-1200 m

Bioregions: ne DMoj (Nopah Range)

California counties: Inyo

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.