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HECHTIA
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TEXAS FALSE AGAVE (Hechtia texensis)

Hechtia closely resembles lechuguilla in having a basal rosette of succulent, curved, spine-tipped leaves. But these leaves often have a reddish coloration and also have spines along their margins (image below). These features distinguish the plants clearly when they are growing together, as shown in the second image below.


Basal rosette of leaves of Hechtia texensis, with red coloration and marginal spines.


Hechtia (foreground, with a flowering spike) and lechuguilla (brighter green) growing on the limestone rocks

These two plants belong to two entirely different different families - lechuguilla in the Agave family and Hechtia in the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae). In fact, Hechtia texensis is the only member of this family in the USA. It grows only on south-facing limestone slopes in the extreme south of Texas, close to the Rio Grande, but is commoner in the Chihuahuan desert of Mexico.

Where the conditions are suitable for it, Hechtia can cover large areas of south-facing slopes, seen by the light-coloured flowering stalks in the image above. The plants bloom from February to May, producing spikes of fragrant white flowers.


Part of a flowering spike of Hechtia

This site is no longer maintained and has been left for archival purposes

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