PlantFiles: Cow's Horn Agave, Lechuguilla Verde
Agave bovicornuta

Zone 9b coastal Otago.

Ive just bought one from the net and it's arrived in very poor condition, busted leaves, screamingly dry barerooted etc. I would rate it as 9/10 in extremis. I'll attempt to revive it and will report back on any success or otherwise.
Nice plant, hope it lives!

The common name for this native Mexican agave is "cow horn agave". The central buds resemble cows' horns. The shiny light-green leaves have contrasting chestnut-brown spines and strong bud imprints.The newly unfurled leaves have a satin sheen and bright-red young teeth. I believe it grows about 4 feet high and 6 feet wide which is in conflict with the information above. A truly unique looking agave.

Got this agave as a small seedling when it had bright bright green leaves and deep red marginal striping. ANd the surprise to me was it kept both traits as it grew into a large Agave. Fortunately it seems to be slow to sucker (in fact, I think it is a nonsuckering species) since it otherwise would have crowded out all the other plants in the area. Striking color for an agave and a wonderful landscape plant.

I have seen quite a number of these in Southern CAlifornia, growing from infancy to flowering adults. Perhaps this climate does not support their ultimate size potential, but never have I even seen one over 3' tall before flowering, though from Xenomorph's photo, I could believe that one is perhaps taller than 3'. Most plants here in So CAl flower at around 2.5'-3', some smaller. I certainly have never experienced one any wider than 4', though. Perhaps in a super hot climate... or perhaps a hybrid with A ferox?