Most agaves are well-armed with terminal leaf spines and usually with marginal teeth as well. However, there are several spineless, or near spineless, species. Among the smaller of these is A. bracteosa with rosettes usually only a foot or two in diameter of slender but somewhat stiff, recurved leaves with a fine sand-papery surface and finely serrulate margins. In addition, given sufficient root room and water, the pipe-cleaner-like inflorescences of cream-colored flowers make a bold statement in the landscape. Agave authority Howard Scott Gentry cites this species as “a true xerophyte of the Coahuilan Desert growing healthily with only 400 – 500 mm of annual precipitation [15 inches or less]”. Furthermore, it often grows on sheer limestone cliffs where minimal soil collects in cracks in the rock. In cultivation, on the other hand, it seems to need more shade, especially when grown with restricted root room in a pot. We offer divisions of HBG 60274, a plant collected Jul 18, 1987, by Bill Baker (WB 6429), 39 km S of Monclova, along the road to Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. $10.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 91 (2), Summer 2019