Century Plants

Century Plant
This genus consists of about 300 species of perennial succulents, occuring in arid regions from southern USA to S America. Agaves vary greatly in size and can take 5-20 years to reach flowering size. Most are tender, but those that have green or gray-green leaves are usually more hardy. They are widely grown as garden plants in warm countries, and for pots or summer bedding in temperate zones. Many species have edible parts and are used to prepare alcoholic drinks, notably mescal, pulque, and tequila, which are made from A angustifolia, A. salmiana, and A. tequilana respectively. Agave americana is commonly planted in rows as an effective stock-proof barrier and is used in arid land reclamation. Both A. americana and A. sisalana (sisal) are important fiber plants and sources of hecogenin, used in the manufacture of steroid drugs. The uses of agaves were developed by the German East Africa Company, which carried out research after plants were first introduced from C America to Tanganyika (now part of Tanzania) in 1893.

Large monocarpic succulent with stout roots and rosettes of hard, gray-green, sharply pointed, spine-edged leaves, to 2m (6ft) long. Bell-shaped, creamy yellow flowers, to 10cm (4in) across, appear in panicles in summer on plants about 10 years old.

Common Name:	Century Plant
Other Names:	Maguey
Botanical Name:	Agava americana
Genus:	Agave
Family:	Agavaceae
Native Location:	Mexico, widely naturalized in India, Africa, and S Europe.
Cultivation:	Well-drained soil in full sun. Prone to attack by mealybugs. Rot may occur during cool winter temperatures if plants are overwatered.
Propagation:	By seed sown in spring at 21°C (70°F); by offsets, removed from the parent plant in spring or summer and left for some days to dry off before potting.
Harvest:	Parts are harvested and processed as required. Leaves and root may be used fresh or dried; they last well when dried.
Warning:	Skin allergen
Height:	2m (6ft), reaching 8m (25ft) at flowering.
Width:	3m (10 ft)
Variations:	Marginata Yellow-margined leaves Mediopicta Central, pale yellow band Striata Yellow or white stripes down each leaf.
Hardiness:	Min. 5°C (41°F)
Parts Used:	Whole plant, leaves, roots, sap.
Properties:	A healing anti-inflammatory, diuretic herb with hormonal and insecticidal constituents. It acts mainly on the digestive system, but its intake can also lower fever by increasing perspiration.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for indigestion, flatulence, constipation, jaundice, and dysentery. Externally for burns and minor injuries. Fresh sap in contact with skin may cause skin irritation or dermatitis.
Culinary Uses:	Sweet sap from the flowering stem is drunk as juice or fermented into pulque. Flower stems and leaf bases are roasted and eaten.
Economic Uses:	Root extracts are used in soap manufacture, and the coarse fibers are woven into ropes, twine and mats. Leaf-waste concentrate provides certain precursors for steroid drugs.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. Pg 106