Leuchtenbergia principis f. variegata

Often commonly called "Agave cactus", due to its resemblance to this genus, this plant does not actually seem to be part of the Cactaceae family. The variegated form is even more sought after, due to the typical yellow spots on the cactacea in the exact points, where chlorophyll is absent, which make each specimen truly unique, always different! It is the only species of the Leuchtenbergia genus, characterized by slow growth which, once mature, can reach up to 70 centimeters in height; it consists of a strong underground tuberous root, from which a sort of trunk, similar to a caudex, branches off, which is of a cylindrical shape, corky at the base. It has long tubercles (up to 13-14 centimeters) of a greyish-green color and with a triangular section similar to Agave leaves, the tips of which, however, are cut to make space for areoles, with a gray down and flexible spines even more than 20 centimeters long. During the warm period, large and very fragrant funnel-shaped yellow flowers bloom from this particular cactacea, which can reach dimensions of 10 centimeters in diameter!