English name: American century plant, century plant, maguey or American aloe
Scientific name:Agave americana
Country of origin: Mexico
Description
It is an evergreen succulent plant with a rosette height of 1–2 m and a width of 2–3.7 m. Leaf width is 15–25 cm and length 1–2 cm. The flower stalk is 5–9m. After blooming and bearing fruit for 10–35 years, it withers. Propagation is primarily performed by new bulb division. Is xerotolerant, cold tolerant (grows at –9°C or higher), strongly frost tolerant, and is not selective regarding soil. It is a CAM plant.
The sap collected from the holes formed by hollowing out the core contains calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, amino acids, and as a beverage (aguamiel), remains a valuable source of water and nutrients in dry regions where it is difficult to obtain water.
Uses:
Leaf (food, fiber), sap (beverage, medicine), flower stalk (food)
References
Genty, H.S. 1972. The Agave Family in Sonora. Agriculture Handbook. No.399.
Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of. Agriculture,
Washington, D.C., USA. (http://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/CAT87209091/PDF)
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. Revised Edition. University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas,
USA.
アンドリュー・シェヴァリエ．2000．世界薬用植物百科事典．難波恒雄（監訳）誠文堂新光社、東京．
