Pulque Agave, Giant Agave
Agave salmiana
Family: Asparagaceae
What it is like
Agave salmiana is an evergreen Perennial growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft) 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): 2
Where it is found
Not known
C. America to southern N. America - southern and central Mexico.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Central America, Indonesia, Mexico, North America, SE Asia
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
The sap is fermented to make the alcoholic drink 'pulque'. As soon as the inflorescence bud appears (at an age of about 7 years), it is excised. The sweet juice which then exudes for the next 3 - 4 months is collected and fermented. Sometimes a brandy is produced by means of distillation of pulque which contains 4 - 8% ethanol. It is also possible to produce sugar or vinegar from the sugar-containing juice. The flowering stems are cut into sections and then chewed like sugar cane. The cuticle of the young leaves of the central spike is used as a translucent wrapping for the Mexican dish 'mixiote', which is prepared for festive occasions.
Manna: this is a sweet substance that exudes naturally from certain plants, usually from the stems.
Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 2
The leaves, especially the youngest ones, provide fibres suitable for the production of laces, fine clothes and foodwear. The roots contain saponins and can be used as a soap substitute. An architectural succulent. Deer Tolerant.
Agroforestry Services: Living fence: Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
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.
Staple Crop: Basic Starch: The Carbon Farming Solution. Eric Toensmeier.
Agroforestry Services: Living fence: Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
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.
Staple Crop: Basic Starch: The Carbon Farming Solution. Eric Toensmeier.
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
A plant of drier areas in the subtropics and tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 2,400 metres. 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. Cultivation is easy in a well-drained sandy soil with sunny exposure. For a pot culture, it requires a container of very large size to remain in an harmonious appearance. It can be used to fix a slope.
Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in a container in a light position. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20c. 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. It is multiplied more easily by planting shoots than by seedlings.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 9-11
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Agave raksasa, Pulqueagave, Maguey de pulque, Maguey manso, Maguey ceniso
Synonyms
Agave atrovirens sigmatophylla A.Berger Agave coarctata Jacobi Agave cochlearis Jacobi Agave compluviata Trel. Agave jacobiana Salm-Dyck Agave lehmannii Jacobi Agave mitraeformis Jacobi Agave quiotifera Trel. ex Ochot. Agave tehuacanensis Karw. ex Salm-Dyck