Agave lechuguilla, click on photo to see original image
The agaves in the photograph were growing in southern New Mexico, not far from Carlsbad Caverns. They grew with Opuntia valida, O. engelmannii, Echinocereus stramineus, and E. coccineus. They were numerous and happy in the June heat and dryness of a limestone rock shelf.
A. lechuguilla occurs from Texas into New Mexico and Mexico. Probably the northern forms (and higher altitude forms) are easily hardy to zero F if kept dry in winter (or perhaps frozen under snow). Plants from more southerly areas might only be hardy to 10 F or 15 F.
The plant is handsome but wicked, with leaf tips as sharp as any stilleto. When you reach for a pot of this plant be sure to reach slowly. If you miss the tip spines, the edge spines may get you.
written by: jshaw at opuntiads.com
