Among medium-sized landscape agaves (with rosettes under 60 cm diameter), this is one of the choicest. Like the much sought-after A. parryi var. truncata, this forms compact artichoke-like rosettes of glaucous leaves. It differs in having more contorted, fiercer-looking marginal teeth. These make evocative imprints on the backs of the leaves. Our seed-grown plants display a range of variation that will be fascinating to watch as their mature patterns develop. The species is restricted to the limestone Parras mountains of SE Coahuila, Mexico, between 1400 and 2480 m elevation. HBG 97485. $8.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 80 (2), March - April, 2008