It’s hard to pass our picture perfect clump of Agave nickelsiae without stopping to take a photo. Agave nickelsiae, formerly known as Agave ferdinandi-regis, is a North American native century plant, found in dry, rocky hills in Mexican state of Coahuila. It was named to honor 19th century plant collector, Anna Nickels of Texas, who made many plant collecting trips south of the border.
For years, Agave nickelsiae was lumped by some herbarium taxonomists (people who study dead, smashed plants) with the better-known Agave victoriae-reginae, but Agave nickelsiae can be easily distinguished by more glaucous foliage, larger leaves, and larger terminal black spines. The very slow-growing, usually solitary clumps will mature at 10″ tall x 18″ wide. In climates with cold wet winters, it is essential to keep the plants dry when temperatures drop below 20 degrees F. Because it grows so slow, it’s perfect for a sunroom or window sill in winter, without the worry of stretching that you’ll see with faster-growing century plants. Our plant pictured below is seven years old from a 1 quart pot. (Hardiness Zone 7b-10b).
A 19th century female botanist sounded too interesting to pass by, so I had to read about Anna B. Nickels. What a fascinating life! That led me to Mary Katherine Brandegee, a second pioneering botanist of the era.
These women seem to have been highly respected and influential in the world of succulents and other southwestern plants in a time women were considered second class in America. Both came from humble beginnings, but went on to identify new species and make them available the world over, facilitating camaraderie, academic discussion, and collaboration amongst both professionals and amateurs. We owe so much to both of them. Thank you for sending me down this rabbit hole. I believe I need a Agave nickelsiae.
That is a beautiful plant!
Anna B Nickels was my 5th Great-Grandmother, we found this out while going through my grandmother’s things, my grandmother had a huge part in raising me, she passed a couple of years ago. I have always been obsessed with succulents, cacti and plants in general. Sometimes people even asked, “why don’t you prefer flowers?” Finding this out has really moved me in a way I cannot describe. It felt validating in a small way, but the very idea that maybe passions are passed down generationally gives the idea that in some way, we live on. Through the DNA we somehow pass on parts of ourselves that will linger in the future generations, and although we typically do not get to know where it comes from, it is there. I would love to forage with her and to hear her speak. Her accomplishments in an era of time when women could not vote or own property on their own, a time when women had very little rights….she was a GIRL BOSS! Business owner, botanist, dealer, adventurer, mother, grandmother, scientist, who knows what else. Mrs. Nickels, my daughter and I adore you, we are honored to be your relatives….and we remember your legacy!