Maguey agave
Agave atrovirens

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

An agave. It is a short stemmed succulent plant. It grows 1.8 m tall. It has rings of large fleshy leaves. There can be 100 leaves and they are about 1m long. There is a spine at the end 2.5 cm long. The flower stalks can be 3-10 m long.

There are about 250 Agave species. The Agavaceae are mostly in the tropics and subtropics.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in open areas between 1,800-3,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia, Mexico (country/location of origin), North America, SE Asia, USA

How it is used for food

The sap and crushed stem base are used to produce an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. The sap and stem can also be eaten. The flower stalk is roasted and eaten.

Edible parts

Sap, flower stalk, stem, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or suckers.

Plants take 16-20 years to reach their full height.

Its other names

Local names

Lechuguilla, Maguey del cumbre, Maguey, manso, Pulque agave

Synonyms

Agave atrovirens var. cochlearis Trel.; Agave atrovirens var. latissima (Jacobi) Rose; Agave atrovirens var. marginata Trel.; Agave atrovirens var. mirabilis (Trel.) Gentry; Agave canartiana Jacobi; Agave coccinea Roezl ex Jacobi; Agave deflexispina Jacobi; Agave gracilis Jacobi; Agave latissima Jacobi; Agave macroculmis Tod.; Agave mirabilis Trel.; Agave ottonis Jacobi; Agave schlechtendahlii Jacobi; Agave tehuacanensis Karw. ex Otto; Littaea gracilis Verschaff.;