Fique, Cuban Hemp
Furcraea hexapetala
Family: Asparagaceae
What it is like
Furcraea hexapetala is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Birds, Bees. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Tropical highlands
Northern S. America - Venezuela, Ecuador, Galapagos, north through the Caribbean and Mexico.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
The roots are used for medicine.
Other
Rating: 2
Agroforestry Uses: Planted as living fences. Other Uses: A fibre is obtained from the leaves.
Agroforestry Services: Living fence: Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
Industrial Crop: Fiber: Clothing, rugs, sheets, blankets etc. Currently, almost none of our fiber are produced from perennial crops but could be!
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Agroforestry Services: Living fence: Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
Industrial Crop: Fiber: Clothing, rugs, sheets, blankets etc. Currently, almost none of our fiber are produced from perennial crops but could be!
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
How it is grown
Requires a well-drained soil and a sunny position. Plants are monocarpic - they live for a number of years without flowering, then put all their energy into flowering and die afterwards. Occurs in climates with good light with temperature between 17 and 24 ? C, relative humidity between 50 and 70%. Prefers clay-clayey soils, well aerated and with a pH between 5.0 and 7.0. It can be propagated sexually by entomophilic pollination, but it must spread asexually through bulbils or suckers, which after falling to the ground, grow easily.
Propagating it: Seed - rarely produced. Plants frequently produce large numbers of bulbils, which root and grow into new plants when they fall to the ground. These bulbils have the capacity to remain viable for a number of years, even in unfavourable conditions.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 9-11
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Synonyms
Agave aspera Jacq. Agave australis Steud. Agave cubensis Jacq. Agave hexapetala Jacq. Agave odorata Pers. Agave vivipara Arruda Furcraea agavephylla Brot. Furcraea aspera (Jacq.) M.Roem. Furcraea cahum Trel. Furcraea cubensis (Jacq.) Vent. Furcraea macrophylla Baker Furcraea valleculata Jacobi