The genus Agave is treated here in a wide sense to include taxa previously treated as belonging to the genera Manfreda, Prochnyanthes, Polianthes and Pseudobravoa. Not all botanists are happy with this treatment, with some feeling that these genera should remain distinct, at least until further studies have been carried out. In addition, given the high species diversity found in Agave, some feel that an alternative approach could be the recognition of several smaller genera within the current circumscription of Agave[].
Molecular populational data do not clearly separate Agave potatorum from Agave cupreata Trelease & A.Berger, and both are seen to represent one species only with two lineages: One in lower areas of the Balsas basin (Agave cupreata), and another one in the highest forests and open areas (Agave potatorum)[].

Common Name:

General Information

Agave potatorum is an evergreen, stemless, succulent plant forming a rosette of leaves that can be 30 - 50cm tall and 40 - 60cm in diameter. Mature plants can produce around 30 - 60 spiny leaves that can each be up to 35cm long and 8 - 10cm wide near the base. After several years of growth, a flowering stem that can be up to 5 metres tall is produced, after which the rosette will die. However, the plant sometimes produces a few young plants around its base that will develop as new plants[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is also used for making the distilled drink 'mezcal', for which purpose wild plants are often managed. Various cultivars have been produced that are grown as ornamentals[].
Agave potatorum has a restricted area and extent of occurrence, being known from 10 or less locations. The plant is used in the production of mescal and is being harvested from the wild on a large and increasing scale Many subpopulations have already been extirpated for mescal production and all known remaining locations are affected. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known 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[].

Botanical References

Range

Southern N. America - southern Mexico ( Puebla to Veracruz and Oaxaca).

Habitat

Volcanic and limestone soils within tropical dry forest and shrublands, as well as temperate oak forests at higher elevations; at elevations from 1,300 - 2,400 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Agave potatorum is native to the semi-arid tropical zone of southwest Mexico where it can grow at elevations up to 2,400 metres. It is found in tropical forests at lower elevations, but also in more temperate oak forests at higher elevations, where it can experience frost.
Agave species generally require a sunny position, succeeding in most soils of medium-fertility so long as they are very well-drained. Most species are undemanding as to the soil pH, though those found in the wild on limestone soils will grow better in neutral to alkaline conditions. Plants are generally very tolerant of dry conditions and of extended periods of drought[].
Most Agave species are monocarpic, individual rosettes living for a number of years without flowering before sending up an often very large flowering stem and then dying after flowering and setting seed. This species, however, occasionally produces a few new rosettes from offsets during its lifespan and these new plants will continue to grow after the death of the parent plant.
Individual plants take about 7 - 15 years in their native habitat, considerably longer in colder climates, before flowering[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

Flower buds and the tender young inflorescences - cooked[].

The plant is used in the production of mezcal[, , ]. Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage that can be made from almost any species of Agave, though around seven species are especially favoured. Mature plants are harvested from the wild, their leaves and roots are removed and the remaining 'hearts' are baked (often in an earth oven), then mashed and the resulting liquid allowed to ferment for a few days before being distilled to produce mezcal.

Medicinal

The plant is used medicinally[]. No more information.
The leaves are antiinflammatory and are used to reduce swelling[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a container in a light position. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15 - 20°c[, ]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of well-drained soil when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position until they are at least 10cm tall before planting out.
Offsets and suckers can be potted up at any time they are available.
Bulbils, where produced, are an easy method of propagation. Simply pot them up and plant out at the beginning of a growing season when they are 10cm or more tall.

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: what is greater, 5 or 9?