AGAVE AZUREA (AGAVACEAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR, MEXICO, WITH NOTES ON OTHER AGAVES ON THE VIZCAINO PENINSULA

Agave azurea, a new species of Agave from the Picachos de Santa Clara, Baja California Sur, Mexico, is a medium-sized species with distinctive glaucous blue-green leaves that does not produce offsets, has a relatively short and narrow inflorescence, and a distinctive flower structure. The closest relative to this new species is Agave vizcainoensis, which occurs to the west on the Vizcaino Peninsula. This new species is a narrow endemic restricted to mostly rocky slopes and alluvial surfaces emanating from isolated mesas and peaks in an environment with strong fog influence. Agave azurea does not appear to be threatened by habitat modification. Field examinations and a review of herbarium specimens assigned to Agave vizcainoensis, A. sebastiana, and A. gigantensis led us to conclude that A. sebastiana is restricted to off-shore islands, A. vizcainoensis occurs on the western Vizcaino Peninsula, and A. gigantensis is restricted to the northern Sierra de la Giganta.