AGAVE

Family: Agavaceae

Botanical name: Agave americana

Also known as:

Giant Agave

Origin:

Mexico and the extreme southwestern United States

BOTANY

A perennial herbaceous succulent plant capable of storing water in its leaf cells to survive drought. Consisting of a stemless rosette, its enormous leaves are fleshy, rigid, and fibrous, most often ending in a spine. The flower stalk grows from the center of the leaf rosette and reaches about 5 to 10 m in height.

It bears 15 to 35 ramifications. Each flower measures between 7 and 10.5 cm in diameter. Considered an invasive species in the south of France, it flowers only once after 7 to 20 years, then gradually dies. It most often reproduces by suckers and bulbils that can appear on the flower stalk.

Properties and uses:

This agave is used to produce fibers for making rope and twine, as well as paper and mats. Mezcal can be made from this agave, which is the cooked and fermented juice of the leaves after distillation. Tequila and agave syrup are produced from another agave, Agave tequilana or blue agave. The plant is used in traditional medicine in Mexico, but also in countries where it has naturalized such as Brazil, China, and India. It is said to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and diuretic properties.

Precautions

The leaves are thorny, and their sap, when cut, can cause dermatitis due to the presence of saponins, irritating oils, and calcium oxalate crystals. These skin irritations can be alleviated with the hot air from a simple hairdryer, applied in several passes over the redness or itching; the effect is very rapid and provides significant relief.

Did you know?

Agave americana can live for several decades before flowering. This spectacular flowering only occurs once in its lifetime. After this unique event, the plant naturally dies.