Agave, Century Plant
Agave americana

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A perennial plant up to 7.5 m tall and 2.5 m wide. It does not have a trunk and has suckers. The plants have a very sharp and tough spine at the tip of each leaf. The leaves are grey-green and occur in rings at the base. There are spines on the edges of the leaves. There are 5-8 mm long and 2-6 cm apart. The leaves are word shaped and 1-2 m long. The flowers are tubular and yellow-green. These occur on stems 6 m high.

There are about 250 Agave species. The Agavaceae are mostly in the tropics and subtropics. They are usually in dry rocky regions. The sap contains 12-15% sugar.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. Plants are naturalised in the Mediterranean and it grows wild in Mexico. It requires a very well drained soil and a sunny position. Plants are frost tender. They need a temperature above 5°C. They suit warmer climates. In Sikkim it grows between 400-1,200 m above sea level. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Britain, Central America, China, East Africa, Ecuador, Eswatini, Europe, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kiribati, Korea, Lesotho, Mediterranean, Mexico (country/location of origin), Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, SE Asia, Sicily, Sikkim, Slovenia, Southern Africa, South America, St Helena, Swaziland, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Venezuela, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The heart of the plant can be eaten after baking. It is sweet but fibrous. The tender shoots are eaten raw. The seed is ground into flour and used to thicken soups. The flower stalk can be roasted and used like asparagus. They are also used to make wine. Sap from the cut flowering stems can be used as a syrup. This is called 'pulque' in Mexico. The flowers are cooked as a vegetable and also pickled.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Flower stalk, seeds, shoots, drink, sap, pith, vegetable, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Seed should be sown on the surface and germinate in 1-3 months at 20°C. The seedlings should be grown in a sunny position until 20 cm tall. Plants can also be grown from offshoots.

The flower lives for a number of years without flowering but dies once it does flower. It normally dies after 20 to 30 years. Suckers however continue to grow. Suckers flower after 15 years in warm climates. The young flower is removed creating a trough like depression in which sap collects. It is drained out daily over several weeks. The yield can be 3-5 litres per day and a total of 800 litres of sap.

Its other names

Local names

Agave amerika, Aguamiel, American Aloe, Ameriška agava, Desi kwar gandal, Ghyapat, Hattibar, Jangli kwar, gandal, Kalabandha, Kamal gand, Kanwar phara, Kattale, Ketaki, Ketuke, Keuro, Kittanara, Kyora, Laphra, Long she lan, Maguey, Maguey verde, Malina, Mishki, Moraba, Nanat-gyi, Retuke, Spiked Aloe, Zabbara, Zamara, Zargira

Synonyms

Agave altissima Zumagl.; Agave communis Gaterau; Agave complicata Trel. ex Ochot.; Agave picta Salm.-Dyck; and others