Palmer's agave
Agave palmeri
Family: Asparagaceae
What it is like
A succulent plant with a rosette of spiny leaves. The leaves are dark blue. They are 1 m long and 3-5 cm wide. The plant can be 1.5 m across. The flower stalk can be 3-5 m tall. It has 8 to 12 branches. The buds are reddish and the flowers are white.
There are about 250 Agave species. The Agavaceae are mostly in the tropics and subtropics.
Where it is found
It can tolerate temperatures to -12°C for short periods. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Mexico (country/location of origin), North America, USA
How it is used for food
The central bud is roasted and eaten. It is also used to distil an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. The seeds can be used for flour.
Edible parts
Bud, plant heart, sap - drink, seeds