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This smallish hybrid is usually sold under the apparently invalid species name Agave pumila. It is a dimorphic plant, with a compact, offsetting juvenile version to a few inches wide (for several years) and a spreading adult version to about 2 feet wide. Apparently one can hasten this conversion by putting potted plants in the ground.

Gentry treated pumila as a species but also considered the parentage of Agave lechuguilla (originally and currently spelled as lecheguilla) x Agave victoriae-reginae (compact form). The leaf underside strongly suggests the former parentage, despite what the CoL and the data above indicate (scabra=asperrima in the mix).

If the CoL is right that pumila = asperrima x nickelsiae (which I doubt) then Agave x pumila would be a synonym for Agave x nigra (one form of which is known in the trade as 'Sharkskin'), a very different looking plant without this odd dimorphic form.

In any case pumila was apparently collected in the 19th century and described on the basis of a Kew plant obtained from a Dutch trader, of unknown geographic origin. It was never found in nature (at least at the time of Gentry's writing).

Spiny South American ball cactus with yellow flowers.

This plant, formerly known as Parodia (Notocactus) schlosseri (after the guy who collected it in Uruguay, Hugo Schlosser), was apparently described as Echinocactus erubescens a few decades before that point, so the older name takes priority. According to Hunt it is apparently not a species but a hybrid of P. (N.) mammulosa with another Parodia. It belongs with a few plants that are closely related to P. (N.) scopa.

Chunky bluish white Echeveria with dense rosettes and understated reddish flowers. A really nice, full-looking plant with strong color. Apparent final size is about 10 inches if offsets are removed. Best color and form in strong light (like essentially all glaucous Echeverias).

A Frank Reinelt hybrid. Parentage often mistakenly given as E. cante (subrigida) x E. desmetiana 'Subsessilis'. Most likely it is colorata x desmetiana, judging by the shape of the flowers and the thickness of the leaves. Not uncommon in cultivation. Propagated from leaves or offsets.

Gray-green to bluish gray cactus with markedly tuberculate stems, whitish flowers, red fruit (at maturity). Shrubby habit to a few feet tall, stems to 2-2.5 inches wide. 1 central spine, 2-5 grayish radial spines. Nocturnal flowers near stem tips persist into daytime.

Strong colors and unusually tuberculate stems make this an attractive plant in cultivation. New spines are intense red, glaucous stems are bright in strong light.

From the Mexican states of Guerrero, Morelos, Puebla and México.

One of a handful of deciduous spiny stem succulents from West Africa that become large, chunky-stemmed, multi-branched shrubs after many years. The species name is misleading (there may be one main stipular spine, but usually also two more smaller ones).

Very seasonal (summer-fall) growth pattern. The leafy phase is associated with stem extension, while the leafless phase is typically when flowers (tiny yellowish cyathia) appear. Water more frequently from late spring through fall, especially when the plant is in leaf. In our mild winter rainfall climate, these plants enjoy regular winter water (in moderation) and mostly tolerate the rain (given good drainage).

This species (like its toxic West African relatives) is tropical in origin and seems to be marginal where heat is lacking. Here where high temperatures are in the upper 60s and 70s for most of the summer, these plants rarely have much foliage and tend to grow very slowly.

Stem succulent from Suculentas Dzityá in Yucatán with very strange red flowers in summer and fall bearing pointy raised texture. An apparent hybrid of Ceropegia (Huernia) hystrix. Stems are green but turn purple when stressed. The name of this hybrid is a play on words in Spanish connoting its unknown origin.

Through a feat of botanical quantum mechanics, this taxon has been deemed by the CoL to be both subspecies of Pelecyphora macromeris. Or are there even any subspecies? An existential question.

This result is an artefact of the renaming of this plant from Coryphantha macromeris to Pelecyphora macromeris, based on genetic analysis. The paper describing this move names Coryphantha macromeris as a synonym for P. macromeris (on this the CoL disagrees) and C. macromeris subsp. runyonii as a synonym for P. macromeris subsp. runyonii (on this the CoL agrees).

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

To be clear, here is why the CoL is treating this taxon as two things at once. It is subsp. macromeris (according to the CoL) because Coryphantha macromeris (the entire species) is given as a synonym of P. macromeris subsp. macromeris. It is also subsp. runyonii (according to the CoL) because Coryphantha macromeris subsp. runyonii is given as a synonym of P. macromeris subsp. runyonii. Note also that according to the CoL, no form of Coryphantha macromeris is given as the synonym of Pelecyphora macromeris, despite the simple renaming of the species (and subsp. runyonii) in the paper describing this move. No reassortment was applied to the subspecies in the paper.

The difference between the two subspecies has to do with the color (runyonii is gray-green, not dark green or blue-green), shorter stem length (up to 3 inches instead of 9 inches) and restricted area of origin (near sea level on the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo plateau, in southern Texas and northern Mexico).

The reason for the recent move to Pelecyphora (preserving both subspecies in the paper documenting the change) is that this particular species is outside the group spanning all the other Coryphanthas and more closely related to various species of Pelecyphora. There are also floral similarities (fimbriate outer tepals). For what it's worth, the flowers of this species are apparently impossible to distinguish from those of P. vivipara, so be careful relying on this feature alone for identification.

Solitary (usually), globose or somewhat cylindrical cactus with stems to 5(-12) inches tall, 3 inches wide. Occasionally branches sparsely or clusters.

Lovely yellow flowers with red throats. Red, fleshy, indehiscent fruit. This is the only member of the genus that doesn't have dry, basally dehiscent fruit.

From Texas, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas from 0-550m altitude. Several varieties have been named but apparently are no longer recognized.

Relatively common, early and easy to flower in cultivation. This species apparently has extrafloral nectaries which may attract ants.

The genus Thelocactus is related to Stenocactus and Ferocactus, among other genera (all have ribs and scaly pericarpels). T. setispinus may be confused with F. robustus at a distance, before the latter plant is old enough to clump.

Clumping green to blue-green or gray-green cactus with bright pink or magenta flowers. Tubercular stems are 1.5 to 3 inches wide and up to 9 inches tall. Clumps may grow to over 3 feet wide. 1-4(-6) slightly curved central spines, 9-15 radial spines. Green fruit. Stout roots.

From New Mexico, Texas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas. Big Nipple Cory-Cactus (Pelecyphora macromeris subsp. runyonii) is from near sea level on the Rio Grande (Rio Bravo) plain, with gray-green stems that grow shorter and have flatter tubercles.

Clumping hedgehog cactus from the southwestern US and northern Mexico with spectacular orange to red flowers. Stems may reach 2-6 inches in diameter, clumps over 3 feet, with hundreds of heads in old age. 5-13 ribs. 1-4 central spines and 0-22 radial spines (which are hard to distinguish), usually turning dark with age.

Two subspecies are currently recognized: Claret-Cup Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus subsp. triglochidiatus) and Mojave Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus subsp. mojavensis) , previously its own species, which has 8-13 ribs, 1 central spine, and 5-9 often curved and twisted radial spines.

Clumping, mounding hedgehog cactus with long spines and magenta flowers. Stems reach about 3 inches in diameter and clumps may grow to over 3 feet wide, with hundreds of heads in old age. 10-17 ribs. 1-4 central spines and 7-14 radial spines, all turning whitish with age. Fleshy, edible red fruit.

From New Mexico, Texas, and a few states in north-central Mexico (south to Durango). A former subspecies from the southwest of this range (only in Durango) is now its own species: Pitaya (Echinocereus occidentalis subsp. occidentalis).

Recently created genus housing 5 species of barrel cacti formerly under Ferocactus, including the clumping Zapotitlan Barrel Cactus (Parrycactus flavovirens). Separated from Ferocactus based on genetic evidence indicating they are a distinct lineage. Dry growing, drought tolerant, sun loving cacti.

Recently (2002) described Pachyphytum with fat, glaucous leaves; rosettes to 2-3 inches; and stems to about 12 inches, often branching at the base. Flowers have a red spot inside each petal. As with other members of the genus, beefy sepals obscure the petals.

From east-central Michoacán. Similar to P. machucae, from northwestern Michoacán, which has bigger leaves and different colored flowers.

Intensely glaucous white leaf succulent from Cuicatlán in Oaxaca (southern Mexico), where it grows on limestone. Leaves are plump and relatively long, rosettes to 5-6 inches or so. Stems may grow to 18 inches or more, with a sideways habit. Flowers are pink to pinkish orange, lacking a tube, clasped by large, fleshy sepals.

This species was originally described as an Echeveria in 2004 (though it lacks a corolla tube), then moved to Pachyphytum in 2010 (as it has the characteristic scale-like appendages inside the corolla lobes), then moved in 2023 to a new genus, Jeronimoa, based on DNA analysis showing it is an outlier from Pachyphytum. The CoL has not yet caught up with the latest change.

A desirable and little offered succulent in cultivation, with a few hybrids (surely more to come). Old plants can be spectacular with good care.

Glaucous blue-green-gray succulent with delicate purplish highlights (thus the name). The lilac tones near the apex may come and go depending on conditions. Rosettes are tall and dense and may reach about 4-5 inches wide, and at least that tall. Best form and color in strong light.

This hybrid of a xSedeveria and an Echeveria (both parents are also hybrids) apparently does not flower.

Small rosette succulent from China (Yunnan province) and neighboring countries with soft, nearly terete leaves bearing many fine hairs (especially when young). Leaves turn dark colors (blackish) in the sun and bear irregular purplish blotches. Best color and form in strong light. Rosettes grow to 1-1.5 inches wide, with densely packed leaves. Terminal inflorescences bear small, fragrant, pale yellow to orange-red (in the sun) flowers.

Sinocrassula is related to Orostachys and Hylotephium. This species seems to be the most common in cultivation.

Pale green Echeveria hybrid which closely resembles one of the presumed parents, E. agavoides, but with thinner leaves that are concave on top, and a more open rosette. Flowers are decidedly unlike agavoides, sort of peachy orange with yellow highlights and interior.

This hybrid is (apparently illegitimately) called 'Martin's Hybrid' (shortened to 'Martin' by way of correction) and usually misidentified as the species agavoides in the trade. A bit finicky in my experience compared to agavoides. Prone to root loss and sudden meltdown in our mild, humid, winter-rainfall climate. Much better looking in strong light.

Interesting medium-sized, spidery agave from the Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico with narrow, recurved, rough-textured leaves bearing many fine teeth. Medium green to yellowish green. Relatively inoffensive, with no terminal spine. Slow growing. Solitary or offsetting behavior. Very striking in bloom (inflorescence to about 5 feet tall). Flowers lack a tube.

From the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, Durango at 600-1700m, often on limestone cliffs. Common names: maguey huasteco or maguey araña. From a group with A. ellemeetiana and A. guiengola. May enjoy more protection than other agaves in cultivation. May (sometimes) live on after flowering, unlike most agaves.

Large green Baja California native Dudleya. Formerly known as a green form of Dudleya brittonii, now its own species, alongside D. reidmoranii (whose primary difference is its downward pointing flowers). Yellow or greenish yellow flowers point upward and attract hummingbirds.

Native to coastal NW Baja California, which has frequent fog, high humidity, cool temps, zero summer rainfall, and ~10" rain mostly from Dec-Mar. A sun worshipper in cultivation. Some southern forms branch dichotomously and form sprawling colonies. This branching may occur early or late in life, or on an ongoing basis. Branching behavior is passed on to hybrids. Flowers (but not leaves) may be somewhat glaucous.

Apparently self fertile, though also prone to hybridize with related species including brittonii, reidmoranii, candida. Self seeding in my container garden and a frequent contributor to garden hybrids. Hybrids with the lookalike reidmoranii have sideways pointing flowers.

Pachyphytum is a genus of classic leaf succulents from east-central Mexico. These plants are cousins of the Echeverias, with similarly shaped flowers. The flowers are tubular but usually hidden behind giant sepals and thus invisible from the side. They attract hummingbirds, and intergeneric hybrids are known with related Mexican plants.

The distinguishing feature of the genus is the little flaps on the inside of the flowers (scale-like appendages of the corolla lobes), though this feature is not unique to it (some Echeverias apparently have reduced ones). Most of the common Pachyphytums in cultivation are glaucous to one degree or another.

The former Pachyphytum cuicatecanum has very recently been moved to its own monotypic genus, Jeronimoa, based in part on genetic analysis.