Agave pelona
Agave pelona
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 pelona is an evergreen, stemless, succulent plant forming a compact rosette of leaves that can be 40 - 50cm tall and 50 - 80cm in diameter. The leaves on mature plants can each be 35 - 50cm long and 30 - 45mm wide near the base. After several years of growth, a flowering stem that can be around 2 - 3 metres tall is produced, after which the rosette will die[ 1842 Title The Agave Family in Sonora; Agriculture Handbook No. 399 Publication Author Gentry H.S. Publisher Agicultural Research Service, USDA; Washington D.C. Year 1972 ISBN Description Gives quite a lot of information on the traditional uses of the plants. ]. The plant is sometimes used in making the distilled liquor 'mezcal', and was formerly used locally as a source of food and fibre. It is a very attractive species that is appreciated as an ornamental by collectors and can be found for sale in nurseries[ 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 pelona has a small range and extent of occurrence, and there is an ongoing decline due to over harvesting for the trade in ornamental plants. It is projected that current rates of decline will continue, resulting in 100% decline in the population - that is the complete removal of wild individuals over the next 60 years. 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. ].