International Succulent Introductions

Agave macroacantha Zucc

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ISI 2004-6. Agave macroacantha Zucc.

The modest size of this species recommends it for use in residential landscapes or as a potted specimen. It forms elegant, spherical, 30 cm rosettes composed of straight, glaucous-gray, dagger-like leaves, each with a terminal black spine. The species does not flower as freely as some, perhaps because it is often container-bound. But when it does, it forms vegetative bulbils on the inflorescence. This was the case with a plant that recently flowered in Myron Kimnach’s garden, affording this historical offering. Rooted bulbils of HBG 16224, originally bulbils collected by Kimnach & Moran (# 154), Nov 15, 1959, 20.3 km SW of Tehuacán, along the road to Zapotitlán, Puebla, Mexico, where it grew with Cephalocereus hoppenstedtii, Neobuxbaumia tetetzo and a Mammillaria sp. at 1650 m. $5.