Shaw’s agave is a perennial succulent typically found in coastal regions, particularly along bluffs. Due to a combination of their slow growth and urbanization, their presence in San Diego has diminished.

The agave’s fleshy leaves are arranged in a rosette pattern, which is ideal for collecting rainwater and directing it towards its stem. This rosette orientation may be emulated in designs that also focus on conserving water through rainwater collection. Additional research into how other fluids flow and the quantity of how much can flow in the rosette pattern could be studied, opening up further innovations.

Similar to cacti, the spines of Shaw’s agave are also modified leaves speciallizing in reducing water loss. They are small and white to reflect sunlight, and the spine is shaped to maximize surface area while minimizing volume. This minimizes the effects of evaporative cooling from the chaparral’s hot sun and arid environment. Engineers may take inspiration from these spines, the reflective properties in particular, to create designs that passively cool areas, combatting the growing extreme heat from global warming.


In San Diego, rainfall makes an occasional appearance. Hence Shaw’s agave has adapted to source much of their water from fog. The pattern of the spines condenses water and directs the droplets’ traverse down to the stem, where specialized hairs absorb them. University of Southern California professor Yong Chen led a research study involving a 3D-printed structure inspired by spines. They successfully mimicked the function of fog harvesting, paving the groundworks for a future technology that helps combat droughts and the lack of access to clean water.

Sources:
https://www.nps.gov/cabr/learn/kidsyouth/upload/In-Their-Eyes-Shaws-Agave-Comic_ADA-corrected.pdf
https://naturecollective.org/plant-guide/details/shaws-agave/