Common name:Mission or Tree Cactus, Indian Fig
Botanical name:Opuntia ficus-indica

This unusual looking cactus forms a trunk topped with pads (actually the leaves) that have few spines. Flowers are yellow to orange in late spring and early summer, found at the edges of the pads. Green edible fruit follows the bloom period. Fruit turns purple when ripe. This cactus need full sun and well draining soil; it will reach 12'-15' tall. It is frost sensitive. The newly formed pads, or nopales of this cactus are used to make a delicious salsa.

Common name:Parry's Agave, Orange Century Plan
Botanical name:Agave parryi v. huachucensis

This slow growing succulent reaches 1'- 2' tall and wide. It is clump forming with a dense rosette made of short gray leaves with dark thorns on the margins. This is the largest of the subspecies of parryi with leaves 2' long. It is subject to the Agave weevil. It blooms once in its lifetime, sending up a tall flowering yellow spike. This signals the death of the plant but typically, there are pups surrounding the plant. It may take 30 years for this plant to bloom.

Common name:Medio-Picta Century Plant
Botanical name:Agave americana medio-picta

This form has arching leaves with a creamy white stripe down the center of the blue-green leaf. The leaves are outstanding with their arching form and are well armed with a stout, terminal spine as well as marginal teeth. It is somewhat smaller than the americana variety, growing to around 4' tall and wide. It prefers full sun, well drained soil and will perform well in containers. This form also will die after bloom (may take 10 years) but will survive in the form of new pups around the old plant.