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Date: June 21, 2025
Time: 10AM Pacific Time (California)
About Tristan J. Davis
Tristan was born into a family with a deep appreciation for the outdoors, sparking his passion for the natural world at an early age. Initially drawn to the rich avian diversity of South America, he pursued studies at Louisiana State University and the University of Kansas. These academic paths opened doors to fieldwork in nearly every South American country, as well as in China, the Philippines, Liberia, and Equatorial Guinea.
Throughout his travels, Tristan quickly realized he was most at home in drier climates—particularly the arid regions of western Peru and the pampas of Argentina. This preference ultimately led him to relocate to Arizona in 2001.
Today, Tristan focuses his botanical research on South American cacti and species of Fouquieria (ocotillo). He remains actively involved in global scientific expeditions, always in search of new discoveries in desert landscapes.
Based in Chandler, Arizona, Tristan serves as an Adjunct Researcher at the Biodiversity Institute of the University of Kansas. He is a member of the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society (TCSS), and an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society (CACSS), where he previously served on the Board of Directors. He currently leads both the Propagation Education Group (PEG) and the Seed Depot for CACSS. In addition, Tristan is a dedicated volunteer at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.
Agavaceae Surprises in Southern Mexico
While conducting research in Mexico that led to the 2021 publication of Agave cryptica, Greg Starr and I encountered some unexpected data that didn’t quite align with our original findings. It hinted at a deeper mystery—one that couldn’t be ignored. Over the next three years, we dove into extensive fieldwork to uncover the truth behind this anomaly.
What we discovered was both surprising and thrilling.
In this presentation, I’ll share the fascinating journey of our research, the remarkable plants we encountered, and how we ultimately realized we were on the verge of a major botanical discovery. Join me for an exploration of three years of fieldwork across some of Mexico’s most stunning landscapes, accompanied by a rich collection of photos and stories from the field.
—Tristan J. Davis
Recording
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Photo Credits: Tristan J. Davis
