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Agave striata - Liliaceae (Agavaceae) - 'Espadin,' 'Espadillo,' 'Guapilla,' 'Soyate,' 'Sotolito.' - This is a very unusual agave with narrow round striped leaves forming a rounded "fireworks" shaped rosette. It is very cold hardy, and compact and easily grown in the garden. It lives on after flowering, unlike the usual century-plant tendency to flower once and die. This native of the mountains of central Mexico is also at home well up into the USA, as far north as Humboldt County in California and North Carolina on the east. Of course, it can be grown in pots out of this range with little difficulty.

In the garden, this specimen requires well-drained soil and a sunny exposure, and is tolerant of both drought and more rain than a typical desert Agave (as long as great drainage is provided). The rosette is 2' wide and the hummingbird-attracting flower stalks rise to 8'-10' tall. Hardy to 0º F.