English name: Parry's agave, Parry's century plant
Scientific name:Agave parryi ssp. parryi
Country of origin: United States (central/southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico), Mexico (Chihuahua, Durango)
Description
Among members of genus Agave, has medium-size seeds, and the shape of the stump is spherical. It is an evergreen succulent plant with a rosette height of 30–51 cm and a width of 51–75 cm. In its natural habitat, it may be observed alone or with many new bulbs attached. Leaf width is 8–13 cm and length 25–40 cm. The leaves are light gray, light bluish green, or light green. The leaf base is straight, and the apex is egg-shaped. The edges of the leaves are mostly straight and have red-brown serrated teeth of various sizes. In the case of large ones, the number of leaves is 100–160. The flower stalk is 3.4–6m. It is observed at altitudes of 460 m or higher, but it is naturally occurring in areas at altitudes ranging from 1,500 to 2,400 m with annual precipitation of 500–1,000 mm with a long dry season in spring. Is one of the most cold-tolerant members among genus Agave and can grow at −29°C or higher. It can grow even in half shade. It can be cultivated in any kind of soil. Propagation is performed by seeding or new bulbs.
The sap has been used as the raw material for beverages (aguamiel) and the Mexican distilled liquor mezcal. The indigenous peoples used the core as food and the leaves as food and raw materials for fibers.
Uses:
Core (food, beverages), sap (beverages)
References
Gentry, H.S. 1982. Agaves of Continental North America. The University
of Texas Press, Tuscon, Arizona, USA.
Irish, M., Irish, G. 2000. Agave, Yuccas, and Related Plants: A Gardener’s
Guide. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Tull, D. 2013. Edible and useful plants of the southwest: Texas, New Mexico,
and Arizona. University of Texas Press, Texas, USA.
