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Agave

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For the queen of Greek mythology, see Agave (mythology).

Agaves are succulent plants of a large botanical genus of the same name, belonging to the family Agavaceae. Chiefly Mexican, they occur also in the southern and western United States and in central and tropical South America. The plants have a large rosette of thick fleshy leaves generally ending in a sharp point and with a spiny margin; the stout stem is usually short, the leaves apparently springing from the root.

Each rosette is monocarpic and grows slowly to flower only once. During flowering a tall stem or "mast" grows from the center of the leaf rosette and bears a large number of shortly tubular flowers. After development of fruit the original plant dies, but suckers are frequently produced from the base of the stem which become new plants.

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Agave americana

Swan's Neck Agave (Agave attenuata)
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Swan's Neck Agave (Agave attenuata)

The most familiar species is Agave americana, a native of tropical America. Common names include Century Plant, Maguey (in Mexico), or American Aloe (it is not, however, closely related to the genus Aloe). The name "Century Plant" refers to the long time the plant takes to flower, although the number of years before flowering occurs depends on the vigor of the individual, the richness of the soil and the climate; during these years the plant is storing in its fleshy leaves the nourishment required for the effort of flowering.

Agave in bloom in a garden (Roquevaire, Bouches-du-Rhône, France, September 1978)
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Agave in bloom in a garden (Roquevaire, Bouches-du-Rhône, France, September 1978)

Agave americana, century plant, was introduced into Europe about the middle of the 16th century and is now widely cultivated for its handsome appearance; in the variegated forms the leaf has a white or yellow marginal or central stripe from base to apex. As the leaves unfold from the center of the rosette the impression of the marginal spines is very conspicuous on the still erect younger leaves. The tequ plants are usually grown in tubs and put out in the summer months, but in the winter require protection from frost. They mature very slowly and die after flowering, but are easily propagated by the offsets from the base of the stem.

Uses

During the development of the inflorescence there is a rush of sap to the base of the young flowerstalk. In the case of A. americana and other species this is used by the Mexicans to make their national beverage, pulque; the flower shoot is cut out and the sap collected and subsequently fermented. By distillation a spirit called mezcal is prepared; one of the most well-known forms of mezcal is tequila.

The leaves of several species yield fiber, as for instance, Agave rigida var. sisalana, sisal hemp, Agave decipiens, False Sisal Hemp; Agave americana is the source of pita fiber, and is used as a fiber plant in Mexico, the West Indies and southern Europe. The flowering stem of the last named, dried and cut in slices, forms natural razor strops, and the expressed juice of the leaves will lather in water like soap. The Native Americans of Mexico used the agave to make pens, nails and needles, as well as string to sew and make weavings. In India the plant is extensively used for hedges along railroads.

Agave syrup (also called agave nectar) has been used as an alternative to sugar in cooking.

The juice from many species of agave can cause acute contact dermatitis. It will produce reddening and blistering lasting one to two weeks. Episodes of itching may recur up to a year thereafter, even though there is no longer a visible rash. Interestingly, dried parts of the plants can be handled with bare hands with little or no effect.

Taxonomy

Agaves were once classified in Liliaceae but most references now include them in their own family, Agavaceae.

Agaves have long presented special difficulties for taxonomy; variations within a species may be considerable, and a number of named species are of unknown origin, and may just be variants of original wild species.

Spanish and Portuguese explorers probably brought agaves back with them, but the plants became popular in Europe during the 19th century, with many types being imported by collectors. Some of have been continuously propagated by offset since then, and do not consistently resemble any species known in nature, although this may simply be due to the unnatural growing conditions in Europe.

Species

Agave lecheguilla
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Agave lecheguilla

Tequila Agave (Agave tequilana)
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Tequila Agave (Agave tequilana)

Agave horrida
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Agave horrida

agave
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agave

Agave potatorum at Kew Gardens, London, England
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Agave potatorum at Kew Gardens, London, England
Agave parrasana synonym Agave wislizeni

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Agave parrasana synonym Agave wislizeni









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