In Pursuit of Agave Palmeri
- Jkwinston
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 1683
- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 12:30 pm
- Location: London UK
- Contact:
In Pursuit of Agave Palmeri
This was my first Agave hunt, and there was a lot of excitement building in me. The last time I visited Tucson, many years ago, I had hiked around the East Saguaro National Park, but that was non-specific, and dominated by the large Carnegiea Giganteas. This time was different, and definitely easier, as I was in tow with Martin, Greg and his mate, and all I had to do was to follow the leader. And yet, I almost missed it. The Palmeri Habitat was inside Base Fort Huachuca, a US military installation, fifteen miles from the Mexican border. It needed an ID to get in. Totally unaware of this, I had left my passport back at the hotel. It was left to a sweet talking member of our team to smoothen the way.
It worked, and I was soon on my way in. Minutes inside the base , I caught my first glimpses via flower stalks, but they appeared not the way I expected. I expected cohesive groups of plants almost as in an extended family. These were not like that; they appeared to be stand alone efforts, as if declaring a state of independence. And this pattern was largely followed in most areas.
At our first stop, I caught glimpses of plants lying low in the grass. Ron was right about wearing boots, as you need them to protect your ankles from the innocent looking grass seeds which once stuck, become difficult to remove. From the road, you can easily miss them, and I suspect that most people do. When I left London, I had not a single plant in my collection, that is about to change. They were immensely attractive, suggesting a kind of stately elegance in spite of their smaller size. Also remarkable about their presence, was the variation of the plants. The message was loud and clear; you may belong to the same family, but you do not have to look the same. Jkw
It worked, and I was soon on my way in. Minutes inside the base , I caught my first glimpses via flower stalks, but they appeared not the way I expected. I expected cohesive groups of plants almost as in an extended family. These were not like that; they appeared to be stand alone efforts, as if declaring a state of independence. And this pattern was largely followed in most areas.
At our first stop, I caught glimpses of plants lying low in the grass. Ron was right about wearing boots, as you need them to protect your ankles from the innocent looking grass seeds which once stuck, become difficult to remove. From the road, you can easily miss them, and I suspect that most people do. When I left London, I had not a single plant in my collection, that is about to change. They were immensely attractive, suggesting a kind of stately elegance in spite of their smaller size. Also remarkable about their presence, was the variation of the plants. The message was loud and clear; you may belong to the same family, but you do not have to look the same. Jkw
- Jkwinston
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 1683
- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 12:30 pm
- Location: London UK
- Contact:
- MikeyDude
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 278
- Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2014 7:50 am
- Location: AUSTIN, TEXAS
Re: In Pursuit of Agave Palmeri
Great pics Winston, I enjoyed them all.
Hope you enjoy your entire trip to the US.
Mike
Hope you enjoy your entire trip to the US.
Mike
- Arizona Agave
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 637
- Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:23 pm
- Location: Tucson, Arizona
- Gee.S
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9597
- Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2013 1:42 pm
- Location: Fountain Hills, AZ
- USDA Zone: 9b
- Contact:
Re: In Pursuit of Agave Palmeri
Good stuff! What is the little cactus in IMG_3007.JPG?
Agave
"American aloe plant," 1797, from Greek Agaue, proper name in mythology (mother of Pentheus), from agauos "noble," perhaps from agasthai "wonder at".
"American aloe plant," 1797, from Greek Agaue, proper name in mythology (mother of Pentheus), from agauos "noble," perhaps from agasthai "wonder at".
"Some talk the talk, others walk the walk, but I stalk the stalk"
- Arizona Agave
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 637
- Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:23 pm
- Location: Tucson, Arizona
-
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: Sat Feb 01, 2014 9:30 am
- Location: Phoenix, Az.
Re: In Pursuit of Agave Palmeri
Stomping around in the Huachucas with Martin and Greg, what a treat that must have been. Excellent pics Winston. The very last pic is my favorite of the group.
Don't California my Arizona!
- Jkwinston
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 1683
- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 12:30 pm
- Location: London UK
- Contact:
Re: In Pursuit of Agave Palmeri
Thanks guys! You made my dreams come true. Amd now that I am back in London, I have to state once again how much I appreciated your help. Even after a week, I can see the Arizona landscape had a lot to offer. To Martin, Greg and his mate, Thijs, Keith and Ron, I am grateful for making it possible. Jkw
- Jkwinston
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 1683
- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 12:30 pm
- Location: London UK
- Contact:
Re: In Pursuit of Agave Palmeri
Yes Mikey, this was the the stuff I had dreamed about. And I enjoyed every minute of it. Would certainly recommend it to anyone seeking adventure. JkwMikeyDude wrote:Great pics Winston, I enjoyed them all.
Hope you enjoy your entire trip to the US.
Mike
- Spination
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2014 11:06 am
- Location: Sonoma, Ca.
Re: In Pursuit of Agave Palmeri
Thanks for sharing your adventure and pics, Winston. Very enjoyable and those are some truly magnificent specimens you captured on camera!
- Jkwinston
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 1683
- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 12:30 pm
- Location: London UK
- Contact: