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 cupreata from Agave potatorum Zucc., 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 cupreata is an evergreen, short-stemmed, succulent plant forming a rosette of leaves that can be 80 - 120cm in diameter. The thickly-fleshy leaves on mature plants can each be 40 - 80cm long and 18 - 20cm wide near the base. After several years of growth, a flowering stem that can be around 4 - 7 metres tall is produced, after which the rosette will die.
This species is one of the most widely used Agaves in the production of mezcal and the plant is cultivated, managed in the wild and also harvested from unmanaged wild populations in large quantities[]. A beautiful plant that can be propagated by seed, it can be grown as an ornamental[].
Agave cupreata is highly threatened. Over-exploitation of the species for use in the production of mezcal has extirpated numerous subpopulations and if current rates of extraction continue, the wild subpopulations of this species could be extirpated almost in their totality, especially in Michoacán. It is estimated that ongoing rates of decline have resulted in the loss of at least 50% of the population in the last 30 years (two generations), and are suspected to remain the same or increase in the future as demand for mescal increases. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

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 - southwest Mexico (Guerrero, Michoacán, Oaxaca).

Habitat

Tropical dry forest and temperate oak forest; at elevations from 1,100 - 2,100 metres[]

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	1.30 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Agave cupreata grows in a semi-arid region, where it is found in tropical dry forests at lower elevations and moves into temperate forest at higher elevations[]
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

Local communities eat the tender flower stalk[]

The flower buds are eaten[].

This species is heavily used for the production of 'mezcal'[, ]. Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage that potentially can be made from almost any species of Agave, though only around fifty are used regularly and 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

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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