Leuchtenbergia principis (agave cactus or prism cactus), the sole species of the genus Leuchtenbergia, is a species of cactus in the Cactaceae family. It is native to north-central Mexico (San Luis Potosi, Chihuahua). The genus is named after Maximilian Eugen Joseph (1817-1852), duke of Leuchtenberg and amateur botanist. It is very slow-growing but can eventually grow up to 70 cm high, with a cylindrical stem which becomes bare and corky at the base with age. It has long, slender, greyish-green tubercles 6-12 cm long, with purplish-red blotches at their tips. The tubercles are topped with papery spines, making the plant resemble an agave; old, basal tubercles dry up and fall off. After four years or so, yellow, funnel-shaped flowers 5-6 cm diameter may be borne at the tubercle tips. The fruit is smooth and green, 3 cm long and 2 cm broad. It has a large, tuberous taproot and should have a deep pot to accommodate it. Water carefully; a lack of water will make the tip of the tubercles yellow. Too much water will make it rot. Keep dry at minimum temperature of 5°C in winter although will tolerate brief periods to -8 °C. Give them full sun to light shade.