Well armed, medium-sized, usually offsetting agave. A variable species. Endemic to Baja California, extending north into Southern California, where its numbers are more limited. The northern ssp. shawii is generally smaller and found in coastal areas with a mild, often foggy climate, while ssp. goldmanniana (better suited for desert gardens) occurs further south and ranges inland, where it is hotter and drier. Similar-looking species found elsewhere include A. gentryi, A. montana, and A. salmiana.

Rainfall in NW BC (about 5-10" a year) occurs in fall through spring, mostly in winter. Summers are dry, but temperatures are limited to about 90°F/32°C in the maritime zone. Flowering generally starts in late fall in habitat and continues through the winter. The inflorescence of the northern form is about 6 feet tall, branched, and starts out covered in large purple or green bracts. The flowers are bright yellow. Plants die after they flower but frequently offset and thus can survive for a long time as a clonal colony.

In cultivation this plant can be fast-growing (1-2 years to gallon size) and quite tolerant of extended drought when established. It is fun to grow from seed because of the variation in spines, margins, size, age to offset, etc. This diversity is evident both within and between populations.

Allow plenty of extra space in the garden as many (not all) plants offset profusely when they are prospering, giving rise to a very attractive, fiercely armed clump over time. Individual rosettes may grow to about 3 feet wide but clumps can be a few times this size. Clumps can be divided in order to start new plants; rootless offsets may root within weeks and start growing again.

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