Mescal Casero
Agave vivipara
Family: Asparagaceae
What it is like
Sometimes misspelt as Agave vivipera
Agave vivipara is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor 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
Subtropical to tropical. semi-arid to humid
Mesoamerica. Caribbean - Aruba; Netherlands Antilles.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, US, South America.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Many, if not all, of the reports on the uses of this species actually refer to A. Angustifolia. To date we have not found any reports that definitely refer to this species. Since A. Angustifolia is very similar, it is quite possible that both species have similar uses. Below are the uses listed for A. Angustifolia: Flower buds and flowers. Young flower peduncles. Stems. Leaf bases. Fruit. The flowering stems are cooked and their juice extracted, fermented, and distilled into alcoholic beverages. The sap can be concentrated into a sweet syrup known as 'Agave Nectar' or 'Agave Syrup'.
Sap: usually of trees and usually but not always used as a drink.
Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Many, if not all, of the reports on the uses of this species actually refer to A. Angustifolia. To date we have not found any reports that definitely refer to this species. Since A. Angustifolia is very similar, it is quite possible that both species have similar uses. Below are the uses listed for A. Angustifolia: The juice of the cooked leaves and stems, and a root infusion, are taken internally or used as poultices for both internal and external swelling, as well as for bruises, liver and kidney diseases, arthritis, and dysentery. The roots are diaphoretic and diuretic.
Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.
Other
Rating: 3
Agroforestry Uses: Many, if not all, of the reports on the uses of this species actually refer to A. Angustifolia. To date we have not found any reports that definitely refer to this species. Since A. Angustifolia is very similar, it is quite possible that both species have similar uses. Below are the uses listed for A. Angustifolia: Often planted in hedges. Other Uses: A fibre from the leaves is used for making rope. The leaves are used for thatching. The spines on the leaves are used as nails or needles. The flowering stem can be used as posts, rafters, and fences. The root contains saponins and can be used as a soap substitute. The sticky sap of the leaves is added to whitewash to make it adhere to walls. The dried plant is burnt for fuel. Carbon Farming - Industrial Crop: fiber. Agroforestry Services: living fence.
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
Agave vivipara is a stemless, succulent plant. Requires a sunny position. Requires a well-drained soil. Succeeds in poor soils. Established plants are very drought resistant. A monocarpic species - the plant lives for a number of years without flowering but dies once it does flower. However, it normally produces plenty of suckers during its life and these continue growing, taking about 10 - 15 years in a warm climate, considerably longer in colder ones, before flowering. Climate: subtropical to tropical. Humidity: semi-arid to humid. Carbon Farming - Cultivation: regional crop. Management: standard.
Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in a container in a light position. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of well-drained soil when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position until they are at least 20cm tall. Division of suckers. Bulbils.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
An environmental weed and should be controlled in sensitive bushland and conservation areas.
Its other names
Local names
Caribbean agave, century plant, maguey, narrow-leaved century plant
Synonyms
Agave vivipera (incorrect). Many.