Smallish clumping agave, among the uglier members of the genus. Variable, usually with few leaves in open rosettes, and relatively few teeth that are downward slanted. Margins are straight and easily detached from dry leaves. Dark green dash marks often but not always appear on the underside of leaves.

This Chihuahuan Desert native ranges from New Mexico and Texas well into northern Mexico over a wide area. It is one of the most common agaves in northern Mexico. It shares much of its range with the related A. univittata, with which it may form natural hybrids and intergrade. Used to make ixtle, a fiber prepared from wild plants, both mature leaves and leaves in bud (which have a finer, more easily worked fiber).

Names for this plant may cause some confusion. The Spanish common name "lechuguilla" is spelled differently from the species name "lecheguilla" (an apparent gringoization in the original description). There are several agaves with the common name "lechuguilla" in various parts of Mexico, but this is the only one with that as a botanical name. Several plants in Mexico, including agaves, yuccas and a bromeliad, are called "ixtle" because of their use for fiber. Agave lecheguilla and A. univittata may be called "Tula ixtle" to distinguish them from the others, and are responsible for most of the ixtle fiber in northern Mexico.

Toxic to livestock and generally avoided by cattle and sheep, thus mostly left alone in grazing areas. Livestock will eat the leaves in times of desperation and may die as a result.

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