ISO Mexican Ponytail Palm

[mel turner]

In article <dip7qvse48jtbaif2ml533src47t2tagfc at 4ax.com>, hrchew at ix.netcom.com 
wrote...
>
>We have what has been called a "Mexican Ponytail Palm." It differs
>from a standard ponytail palm in that its leaves have a spiral to them
>instead of being straight.
>
>We would like to get our hands on additional plants or seeds but can't
>seem to find any that match the description of what we have.
>
>Any help would be appreciated.

Okay, it seems you're describing one of the forms of the same species 
as the "standard ponytail palm", which as it happens is also from 
Mexico. 

It'll help you look if you know the plant's scientific name. You'll 
mostly find both forms under the species name Beaucarnea recurvata, 
but can also find them classified in the in the genus Nolina (as 
Nolina tuberculata). [Beaucarnea isn't always recognized as separate 
from the closely related genus Nolina]

Checking, there are a number of other Beaucarnea species, but most or 
all of them have straighter/stiffer, and often shorter, leaves.  
B. recurvata is the one that tends to have long twisty leaves. There 
are doubtless lots of nurseries selling it and its seeds, but you'll 
probably have to ask if they are the longer-leaved twisty form or 
the "standard ponytail palm".

http://www.floridata.com/ref/B/beau_rec.cfm  

says:

"_B. recurvata_ var. _intermedia_ with shorter leaves, less 
than 3' long, is the most commonly cultivated variety." 

This presumably is your "standard" form. It doesn't appear, 
however, that the name "Beaucarnea recurvata var. intermedia" 
is being used in the horticultural trade,  so this won't help 
you much.

http://www2.umt.edu/uc/gardens/northplnt/beaucarnea.htm 

shows plants with long twisty leaves. This is the form 
you want?

http://www.baobabs.com/Palms.htm#bau 

on the other hand has obviously straighter leaves

Other links with related info.

http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/sucnolin.html
http://www.zone10.com/planttips/1999/071699.htm
http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/subs/bea-rec-sub.asp
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Agavaceae/Beaucarnea.html
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Agavaceae/Beaucarnea_recurvata.html
http://www.charlies-web.com/caudiciform/text14.html
http://www.rarepalmseeds.com/pix/NolLon.shtml

cheers