About Agave chiapensis Jacobi
Agave chiapensis is a species of agave native to the Mexican states of Chiapas and Oaxaca. It has additionally been reported to grow in Costa Rica and Guatemala. Populations of this species are relatively small and isolated, and they are threatened by urban and agricultural expansion, especially in Chiapas. This is a medium-sized agave that forms spreading rosettes of light green leaves. The leaves are variable in shape, but tend to be ovate. The teeth along the leaf margins are deltoid, and can be either small (3–4 mm) and closely spaced, or larger (5–10 mm) and more widely spaced. The strong terminal spine at the leaf tip measures 2–3.5 cm in length. The flower spike typically grows up to 2 m tall, with flowers arranged along the upper quarter to upper third of the spike's length. The flowers themselves are 60–70 mm long, and are yellow or green in color, with an overlay of red or purple shading; this shading also occurs on the bractlets, giving the entire inflorescence a darker overall appearance. The filaments are also dark, measure 70–80 mm long, extend far out of the flower, and bear 30-mm anthers at their tips.
