Agave cundinamarcensis
Agave cundinamarcensis
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 cundinamarcensis is an evergreen, stemless, succulent plant forming a rosette of leaves. The leaves on mature plants can each be up to 200cm long and 45cm wide near the base. After several years of growth, a flowering stem is produced, after which the rosette will die. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of fuel. This species is used locally as an ornamental, for which mature individuals are extracted from the wild[ 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. ]. Agave cundinamarcensis is restricted to a small Andean region of central Colombia, growing in two distinct habitats, and found in only five different locations where it occurs in small isolated subpopulations. The species is facing a rapid decline on its population size and extent and quality of habitat due to the expansion of agriculture, farming and urban areas as well as tourist activities. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 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. ].