Greg Starr: Succulent sleuth

The elusive prize: For Greg, owner of Starr Nursery (starr-nursery.com), is cactus and succulents, with a particular emphasis on agaves native to the Southwest and Mexico, which he helped popularize. He scouts south of the border, the best place to find plants tough enough for his challenging desert climate.

Home base: Tucson

Travels to: Mexico, western Texas

Memorable misadventure: Two year ago in Mexico, he was stopped by police three times in one day--and had to pay bribes each time. "High temperatures and occasional intestinal distress you get used to. Dealing with bribes and blockades you don't. But finding a new plant that looks like it has possibilites makes it all worthwhile."