That "Star burst" agave is amazing! Do you think it's a variation of Agave utahensis? It's just a guess on my part from googling images of agave...

I bet the members of the Xeric forum could help you ID it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Some Agave Utahensis pics on xeric forum

Thanks for the suggestion. I wondered if Mara might know. I'll try to xeric forum if somebody doesn't come up with a name so I can find out the characterics of this agave such as size, cold tolerance, etc..

When I first saw it I wondered if I might have happened upon the recently discovered Agave albopilosa that's pictured at the end of the link below. But on looking again I see that Agave albopilosa has different filiments growing from the tips.

If you like agaves or plant adventures in general you'll love looking at the many photos on the link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mexican agaves ...

Oh one more thing that's somewhat related to Sandra's greenhouse. I mentioned we took a wrong driveway when going to Laura's house and saw some Basenjis in the yard. Since I had raised Basenjis years ago I had to get out the look. The home owners were happy to tell us about them and also when we mentioned seeing a "Plant Sale" sign they told us they had just returned from SAS with a truck load of plants with which they were landscaping their front yard.

For those interested in dogs here's a couple of pictures of the Basenjis ...

Charlotte has owned Basenjis also :-)

They bought plants at San Antonia Shoe factory? ;)

Kathy, the SAS made me think of San Antonio Shoes, too :-) It probably stands for Sandra and Son.

Didn't see this post until now, but your "Star Burst Agave" is actually not an Agave at all!
It's actually a species of Cactus usually called the Agave Cactus - Leuchtenbergia princeps.

Nice find!

Cheers,
Tristan

Thanks Tristan! It's a most unusual cactus -- that's for sure. It always amazes me how it seems plants evolve to outsmart things that eat them. From the site linked below:

"The long papery spines resemble to old blades of grass and help the plant in nature to camouflage in the desert grassland making them remarkably hard to spot."

I've since seen one other plant. It had a place of honor at one of the garden tours last summer.

I just hope I can keep my 'star burst cactus' going. I'll never remember the name so will just call it that. However, I will make a note of its real name.

Here is a link that might be useful: Interesting info on Leuchtenbergia principis.

I haven't been on this forum for quite awhile and I sure do wish I lived closer to Austin. I would love to visit that greenhouse. Roselee, your agave reminds me of fireworks - the kind that explode, then the little bits explode again into smaller flashes.

Oh I am calling that number!! I get to go to Austin every so often and with tomorrow being my B-Day I get to do whatever!! Honey bun commited to help out his brother so I have the entire day to myself, I do have few chores to do around the house but by noon I should be done so lets see what happens

Marcy, please let us know if you get in touch with her and find out if the nursery is still in operation. My last attempts at communication some months ago were not answered.