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[].

Common Name:

General Information

Agave chiapensis is an evergreen, stemless, succulent plant forming a rosette of leaves that can be 50 - 80cm tall and 130 - 150cm in diameter. Mature plants can produce around 25 - 36 spiny leaves that can each be up to 65cm long and 10 - 17cm wide near the base. After several years of growth, a flowering stem that can be up to 3.5 metres tall is produced, after which the rosette will die. However, the plant usually produces many offsets around its base that will each develop as new plants[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
Agave chiapensis has a relatively small range and is known from four locations, where it suffers a decline in number of mature individuals due to removal for construction and large scale habitat alteration due to urban expansion.The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

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

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Range

Central America - Guatemala to southern Mexico Chiapas and Oaxaca)

Habitat

Xerophilous scrub, growing on rocky outcrops on limestone cliffs, found within pine-oak forests at higher elevations; at elevations from 900 - 2,500 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.70 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Agave species are found mainly in the arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern N. America, especially in Mexico, extending from the warm temperate zone to the tropics often at moderate elevations. Many species can withstand at least a few degrees of frost, but only in drier regions and where soils are very well-drained.
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, produces a number of new rosettes from suckers or offsets during its lifespan and these new plants will continue to grow after the death of the parent plant[]. Over time, some species can form extensive clonal colonies by this means.
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

Flowers - cooked[].

Medicinal

None known

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.

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