I admit that I have never seen B. guatemalensis, but I have noticed that, within limits, the less light a B. recurvata gets, the longer and curlier its leaves get.

I've no idea. Interesting on the leaves getting longer when it gets less light. Some of mine have really curly leaves and others have straighter leaves, but they are all long. The big one in the ground has leaves about 4' long.
Tally HO!

These guys are so hot , I love them ! I have about five species . Local business here has a " Thin leaf " B. gautemalenis . Very sexy DEEP red thin leaves that for whatever reason , their cat uses as dental floss !! It's the funniest sight . ALthough it's not a very large plant ( in a 8 inch container ) I'll probably purchase it just to have it part of the collection . Planting these guys on their sides in a bonsai pot makes a very nice piece and usually wins alot of ribbons .

Kids be careful where you plant it. They can become huge, mine measures, about 16-17 feet round, About 15 tall with interesting skin, epidermis the lizards like to hid in. If they get a ding, on the bottom caudex it will be there for life, mine has very long narrow leaves that hang down, it is a male plant the flowers are white. This plant appeard in a Gallo Wine TV commercial years ago. Norma

My bay area B.recurvata is a more sedate 9'tall with a 3+ wide caudex,multiple branches with a sort of Beatle mop top look. I planted it in 1992.
I wouldnt consider them very drought tolerant if you want decent looks. In full sun,they could grow in even a heavily watered lawn or jungle garden. They look Yucca like..but Yuccas here can and do thrive with no summer water.

So, how about a picture Norma? :-)

And Bamboo Turtles, I'd love to see your 5 as well.

Norma, one of mine in the ground for about a year now bloomed this summer! I couldn't figure out what was blooming back there. The flower spike lasted over a month. It was pretty cool. No seeds however.

My biggest has a base about 3-4' wide, stands about 10' tall and is in a pot the same size as the base. It will eventually get planted in the garden. Lowe's had them this year for $6.98 and I bought 5 or 6 (eek! I think I bought 8!) and planted all but 3 in the garden so far. I'm fairly sure I have at least 3 species as there are such differences in leaves and growth. The biggest has one top, one of the new ones has about 10 tops, 2 have 2 tops, the bloomer has 1 top, the one on the deck I've owned over 30 years and it has multiple tops from being broken off. Now, I have to find one with the cool red leaves b.guatemalenis....

My Great Uncle and his buddy wrote a book years and years ago called the Lost Missions of Baja. They drove jeeps throught the Baja penninsula tracing the old Spanish missions. One of the pics in the book is them standing under a huge plant, it looks like a palm tree and the base is around 8 or 9' wide.

Tally Ho!

DL,

An overwhelmingly awesome Beaucarnea compendium - thanks for posting. Is one of the places pictured the Huntington?

I've been looking for that variegated one for years! Nice, very nice. Almost makes me wanna move to an arid climate. Thanks for all the pics.
Tally HO!

HD has the B.guatamalensis for sale $22. "Long Neck" it said as a cultivar and at least a stout 24" plant. So,if you always wanted one...the Hayward HD had it..meaning you could order one at any in California.

Off to HD tomorrow!