Agave shawii

The spiny trunks of this clumped plant may be 4-12 in. long and tend to creep along the ground, branching from the base. A rosette of succulent, 1-2 ft., glossy green, lance-shaped leaves subtends the 3-12 ft. flowering stem which appears after 8-20 years. The tubular flowers are greenish-yellow and occur in a dense, terminal panicle. Leaves bear red, hooked prickles and a terminal spine.