Golden Spine Agave

This average-sized leaf succulent grows up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) tall. The finger-like stem is hazel or crimson, and is covered in lots of fine, gold, hair-like spines. The wavy-edged, sickle shaped leaves are light green with red tips. Handfuls of them grow from the base in tight-packed layers. The leaves are robust, but do not detach easily.

It is steady-growing, taking 5 years to reach maturity. Once mature, and only under the right conditions, a handful of flowers, with solid peach petals decorated with gentle orange lines and a crimson central disk, grow at the top, reappearing after 6 years, but only when the conditions are right again. The flower head is shaped like a heart with 16 widely spaced, round-tipped petals. It has a delicate scent that smells like alcohol.

The leaf succulent's skin is thick, the white flesh is smooth, and the gentle yellow sap is thin and causes upset stomachs if consumed.