"Rock Agave"

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"Rock Agave"

I see this plant a lot in Arizona. The locals refer to it as Rock Agave or "Shin-daggers." I've never seen it growing higher than 5,000 feet in elevation. It's a small shrub with rigid, fleshy,serrated, dagger-like leaves to 12" long, with 2" long terminal spines. You don't want to run into one in a dark alley! Taken southeast of Payson, AZ ~ Jan. 26, 2008 ~ "If you step on one, DON'T WORRY! The terminal spines will go right through the soles of your boots, and you will quickly REMOVE your foot from the plant, LONG before the plant is injured in any way!!!"
lcarreau
on Jan 27, 2008 5:07 pm
Lat/Lon: 34.22869°N / 111.257°W
Image Type(s): Bouldering,  Hiking,  Flora,  Scenery
Image ID: 376145

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Dean

Dean - Jan 30, 2008 5:15 pm - Voted 10/10

Ouch

that plant has made me pay on occasion. I keep my distance nowadays. Nice pic.

lcarreau

lcarreau - Jan 30, 2008 6:09 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Ouch

is right! Just thought I should warn the folks
about this little guy. The Santa Catalina
Mountains just north of Tucson, Arizona are
completely covered with them; at least below
5,000 feet. AGAVES are closely related to the
lily and amaryllis families, and are NOT related to cacti.

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