A. macracantha

(long-spined).* fl. greenish, 2in. long, ten to twelve in a loose raceme 6in. long, all solitary on ascending pedicels ¼in. to ½in. long; scape 2ft. to 3ft. long; bracts erect. l. thirty to fifty in a stiff rosette 1ft. to 2ft. broad, oblanceolate, 6in. to 12in. long, 1in. to 1½in. broad, very stiff and rigid, very glaucous; face rather thicker in the lower half; terminal spine nearly black, very pungent, ½in. long; side prickles purplish-black, sub-distant, ⅛in. long, with a large point straight or slightly hooked. With a short stem, or stemle . Mexico, 1830. It has many varieties, among which are A. Bes serer i an a and A. flavescens.