Origin and Habitat: Endemic from a small area in central Arizona (east of Payson below the Tonto Rim)
Altitude: (900-)1100 to 1800(-2750) m.
Habitat: Grows on open rocky slopes among chaparral in juniper grassland or in miniature oaks thickets.

• Agave х arizonica Gentry & J.H.Weber

Description: Agave x arizonica is an attractive plant forming small rosettes discovered in 1960's and one of the rarest agaves. It is almost undoubtedly a hybrid population involving Agave chrysanthaSN|576]]SN|375]], a relatively large agave, and Agave toumeyanaSN|375]]SN|576]] var. bella, a diminutive plant, as the parent species. This means that it may be just starting down the path of evolution. The plants propagated in cultivation derives from a very few individuals. Only about 50-60 clones are known in the wild where populations of the two putative parent species overlap.
Stem Plants acaulescent.
Rosettes: Very neat in form about 30 cm. high and 40 cm broad at maturity and fairly slow growing. Generally solitary or slowly forming a colony to 60 cm across, but in cultivation it tends to suckers prolifically.
Leaves: Sword-like, rigid, spreading 3-31 cm long and 2-3,2 cm wide, very stiff and bright glossy green , without bud-prints, adaxially slightly concave toward apex, abaxially convex toward base,edged in mahogany with small, slight hooked lateral spines. Terminal spine is very sharp dark brown to grey 1-2,5 cm long..
Inflorescence: Scape racemose-paniculate, openly flowered, 3-4 m long with a slender stalk rising from the leaf rosette
Flowers: 10–20 per cluster, small, erect, yellow, jar-shaped 2,5-3,5 in diameter; stamens long-exserted, light yellow, 1,6-3 cm long; anthers pale yellow to yellow, 7-11 mm long; ovary 0,8-1,5 cm long, neck constricted, 4–6 mm long.
Blooming season: May or June
Fruit: Short-pedicellate capsules, ellipsoid to obovoid, 15-22 mm long, apex beaked.
Seeds: 3–4,5 mm long.
2n = 60.
Remarks: Although similar to Agave utahensis, it has distinct differences in suckering more sparingly, in not forming a large dense clump, having leaves with a distinct dark brown margin and also more cylindrical flowers.

Cultivation and Propagation: It is a resistant plant that tolerates poor soil and drought, but requires excellent drainage and usually does not give many problems in cultivation. It is not particularly fussy about moisture, though careful drainage is always a plus. It likes abundant irrigation at time of growth.Outdoors it needs no irrigation once established. This plant looks best with some filtered shade, which keeps it deep green in colour and favours a mild to hot summers.
Frost Tolerance: They can resist some cold and occasional snow and drier winter conditions can add several degrees, but needs protection against severe frost (The leaf tips get damaged below -7°C). In areas that receive frost or snow the species is best kept indoors or in heated glasshouses.
Maintenance: Removal of old dried basal leaves; Divide the crowded clumps periodically. During the winter months it may become dormant, during which little moisture is required, and the plants should be grown cool.
Propagation: Suckers, micropropagation or seeds. The offsets (called pups) are limited and, often only 2-3, easily separated if desired, and the larger ones retaining the same size as original plant. Because plants are of hybrid origin, seeds produced are not necessarily representative of the typical taxon (and usually not available).
Uses: Its small size for an agave make it ideal for most residential yards, rock garden, dry stone wall, or container.