Agave franzosinii

This small agave is native to rocky grasslands in west Texas and northern Mexico, at elevations of 4000 to 6000 feet. This handsome plant has stout silver grey leaves bearing marginal teeth and a sharp terminal spine. The leaves are held in a tight rosette which is typically solitary. Single plants can reach a size of 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide, and occasionally produce offsets. The branched flower stalk has greenish yellow flowers. It is quite cold hardy, to –20° F, and prefers full sun exposures at higher elevations.