Agave tecta
Agave tecta
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 tecta is an evergreen, succulent plant forming a rosette of leaves that can be 200cm tall and 300 - 400cm in diameter. The leaves on mature plants can each be 100 - 200cm long and 30 - 50cm wide near the base. The plant gradually develops a very thick and broad trunk. After several years of growth, a flowering stem that can be around 5 - 7 metres tall is produced, after which the rosette will die. However, the plant usually suckers freely and these will develop as new plants. The plant is harvested for local use in making a fermented beverage (pulque), and as a source of materials. It is widely grown as a hedge in Guatemala and is also used as an ornamental. Agave tecta has an extremely small range, extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, and it is known only from one location threatened by rapid encroachment for agriculture and urbanisation. If current trends continue, the species will likely go extinct in the next decade. 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. ].