Agave kristenii
Agave kristenii
Safety & Hazards
Many Agave species have strong, sharp spines on the leaves and leaf tips. In theory at least, the flowers, nectar, immature flowering stem and the centre of the rosette of all Agave species is edible and, with proper preparation, can provide a sweet, tasty foodstuff. Some species, however, contain relatively high levels of saponins (which makes them taste bitter) and some other compounds which can cause bellyache, and so these would only be eaten in times of desperation. In addition, many people may find these foods to be strongly laxative the first few times they eat them[ 1846 Title The Agaves of Baja California Publication Occasional Papers of the California Academy of Sciences, No. 130, Author Gentry H.S. Publisher California Academy of Sciences; San Francisco Year 1978 ISBN 0068-5461 Description ].
Botanical Description
Agave kristenii is an evergreen, stemless, succulent plant forming a rosette of leaves that can be 40 - 50cm tall and 140cm in diameter. Mature plants can produce around 7 - 10 spiny leaves that can each be 30 - 79cm long and 5 - 6cm wide near the base. After several years of growth, a flowering stem that can be around 3 - 3.6 metres tall is produced, after which the rosette will die. However, the plant usually produces a number of young plants around its base that will develop as new plants[ 1843 Title Four New Species of Agave (Agavaceae) of the Marmoratae Group Publication Systematic Botany (2013), 38(2): pp. 1-12 Author Vázquez-García J.A. et al Publisher Year 2013 ISBN Description ]. The plant has been harvested in the past for local use as a medicine. It is worthy of cultivation as an ornamental because of its wavy Aloe-like rosette, arched cross-zoned leaves, showy prominent mammillate teeth, and delicate shaft with bright orange flowers[ 1843 Title Four New Species of Agave (Agavaceae) of the Marmoratae Group Publication Systematic Botany (2013), 38(2): pp. 1-12 Author Vázquez-García J.A. et al Publisher Year 2013 ISBN Description ]. Agave kristenii has an extremely small range and extent of occurrence, beings known from only one location. The species is experiences continuing decline due to collection for medicinal purposes, and an ongoing decline in habitat quality in the area. The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].