Agave: Agave

Species in this genus:

Palmer's century plant (Agavaceae Agave palmeri)

Overview of Agave palmeri, photographed on the Black Water Hole hike in the Peloncillo Mountains in the bootheel of NM. This handsome agave is pollinated by one our favorite animals: bats.

Overview of <em>Agave palmeri</em>.
American century plant (Agave americana)

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Lechuguilla or Shindagger (Agave lechuguilla)

Our favorite common name for this plant is "shindagger." We commonly contend with this plant during our travels in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Diana once had a Lechuguilla spine in her leg for 6 months before it dissolved. A member of the Agave family, it is an indicator species for the Chihuahuan Desert.

Translated from Spanish, Lechuguilla would be "little lettuce". However, those spines are most un-lettuce-like. We have heard of people flattening their tires by driving over a Lechuguilla plant.

This photo is from the Rattlesnake Canyon hike.

lechuguilla overview
Century plant or New Mexico century plant (Agave parryi)

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