Mauritius hemp
Furcraea foetida

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

It is like an Agave. It is a herb that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1.5-6 m high. Some forms have prickles and some do not. The leaves are sword shaped. They are green and in rings. The flowers are on long stalks. The flowers are drooping and bell shaped. They are white. Plants flower only once then die. The bruised leaves have a bad smell.

There are 20-25 Furcraea species. They grow in tropical America. Also put in the family Agavaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in tropical America. It can grow in warm temperate places. It grows easily on grey sand over limestone. It suits drier tropical regions. Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Brazil, Central America (country/location of origin), East Africa, Fiji, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Hawaii, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marquesas, Mauritius, Myanmar, Pacific, SE Asia, Singapore, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, St Helena, Suriname, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

How it is grown

It is grown from offsets of the main plant. It can also be grown from seeds.

Plants usually live for 12-15 years before flowering.

Its other names

Local names

Aloe hijau, Giant cabuya, Green aloe, Thinbaw-nanat-gyi

Synonyms

Furcraea gigantea Ventenat; Fourcroya;