CSSA VOL.74, July-August 2002 No.4 Superb Succulents Duke Benadom Something about agaves Myron Kimnach Among the agaves of the Huntington Desert Garden Gary Lyons Growing agaves in cold climates Mary Irish Regions of floristic endemism in South Africa - Book Review Graham Williamson Dumpling and his wife - new views of the genus Conophytum - Book Review Suzanne Mace Distribution of Agave (Agavaceae) in Mexico Abisai Garcia-Mendoza Agave garciae-mendozae, a new species from central Mexico Raquel Galván Villanueva and Luis Hernández- Sandoval Software Review Tony Mace Helia Bravo-Hollis Jorge Meyrán Garcia Graptopetalum marginatum, a new species from Nayarit, Mexico Myron Kimnach and Reid Moran Larry Mitich Duke Benadom

On the cover. The essential beauty of agaves is well represented in this photo of A.bovicornuta by Steven Miles of Denver. The symmetry of the leaves and the subtle changes of color, especially in the maturing spines, are some of the reasons why people grow agaves. Stephen provides his plant with partial winter protection - essential in the cold Denver climate - and he promises to write something for us about his methods. The "cow-horn" agave is one of the most attractive species, but unfortunately it does not offset and it dies after flowering. The recurring need for seed, legally unavailable from Mexico, is the only reason it is rarely cultivated.