Agave azurea
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Agave azurea faces severe pressure from habitat conversion as its native oak-pine forest ecosystems in the Sierra Madre Oriental are cleared for agriculture and urban development. The species' extremely limited range, restricted to a few localities in Nuevo León, Mexico, makes entire populations vulnerable to localized disturbances. Collection pressure for horticultural trade compounds these threats, as the species' striking blue-gray coloration makes it highly sought after by succulent collectors.
Habitat
Agave azurea inhabits oak-pine forests and rocky slopes in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains of northeastern Mexico, typically at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters. The species grows on limestone substrates in semi-arid montane environments with well-drained soils.
