Photographs of Cacti of Big Bend National Park

Hechtia texensis looks like an agave, hence its common name, but it is actually a bromeliad. In the USA, the plant is found only in the Big Bend area, but is widespread in Mexico where several other hechtia varieties are also found. The plant grows in the same habitat as agave lechuguilla, which it resembles, though the deep red color of the leaves makes it easy to differentiate the two species.

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