Agave gomezpompae

Agave gomezpompae is a rare, recently discovered, non-monocarpic Agave from the rainforests of central Veracruz in eastern Mexico. It is found on karst limestone hills in humid tropical forests northeast of Cordoba at elevations of 850m and further southeast, around Zongolica, in cloudforest at elevations of 1400m, again on alkaline calcareous rockfaces. It is polycarpic and its inflorescence is produced laterally. It forms a long thin ligneous stem not unlike Agave pendula to which it is closely related. The stem bifurcates as it grows. This is an unusual Agave! It is smaller and less robust in stature than Agave attenuata and its stem is less stout. The leaves are very finely denticulate, fleshy and with a small terminal spine. This foliage is also much loved by snails so some thought must be given to its position if placed outside during the summer. We have found it tolerates full sun like a desert Agave but it prefers semishade and higher moisture. Grown in the sun, the foliage becomes more upright, more fleshy and more brittle and less elongated and soft than when it is grown in the shade.

Agave gomezpompae is obviously not a hardy species outside in the UK and must be kept frost free. Indoors in a warm humid atmosphere is ideal. At the nursery we keep ours in an unheated glasshouse but under at least two layers of fleece. Protected like this it tolerates the cold well enough through to the spring. In colder regions, it would be sensible to be extra cautious.

Rare, unusual and available only in very limited quantities. We recently sold three of these to RHS Wisley which we believe are the first to make their way into a UK public collection.