Symmetrical green or sometimes silver-blue agave with many straight, narrow leaves. Often with red or purplish highlights. Unbranched inflorescences with greenish petals and reddish purple stamens. May form axillary branches after flowering, thus not monocarpic, unlike most agaves. Typically grows in clusters over time.

Widespread, from the Chihuahuan Desert of northeastern Mexico into east-central Mexico. Easily confused with A. stricta (from the Tehuacán valley much further south in Mexico), another porcupine-like plant with many narrow leaves which also branches after flowering, and can form spiny clusters. A. striata is much more cold tolerant than A. stricta. The two plants are best distinguished based on floral features.

Reply to this comment