Variable glaucous green to blue agave from southern Mexico. Sharp teeth and spines; mammillate margin. Used to make mezcal.

Native to the semi-arid highlands of Puebla and Oaxaca. Highly variable. Closely related to the more recently described A. isthmensis, which is generally smaller and more likely to offset.

Common names and their linguistic origins derive from prehispanic cultures of the area, including Nahuatl and Zapotec. The common names used for potatorum may also be used for isthmensis, which was described much more recently.

The word papalote (Mexican Spanish for kite) comes from the Nahuatl word papalotl (for butterfly). Maguey papalote (Mexican Spanish for kite agave) is used to describe Agave cupreata (especially) but also Agave potatorum. It combines words from Taino and Nahuatl respectively. There is a separate 100% Nahuatl word, papalometl (butterfly agave), which is used for Agave potatorum but may also apply to cupreata.

The word tobalá has its roots in the Zapotec language (associated with the valley of Oaxaca primarily). It refers to potatorum (usually) as well as two other agaves (seemanniana and nussaviorum). It may refer to wild (collected) or cultivated agaves when it describes a mezcal, but often/usually the former.

A number of agave cultivars are sold under the name Agave potatorum, including plants which do not particularly resemble it as it is usually found in nature. These include Happy Crown Agave (Agave 'Kichijokan') and its variegated derivatives, like Happy Crown Agave (Agave 'Kissho Kan'), as well as the unusual Agave (Agave potatorum 'Shoji Raijin') and its variegated derivatives. Also more recently the monstrose Agave (Agave potatorum 'Cubic').

The former var. verschaffeltii describes a plant with more pronounced mammillate margins, though it has been mistakenly attached to various other plants in the trade.

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