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 decipiens is an evergreen, succulent plant developing a main stem that is very broad and eventually reaches 1 - 3 metres tall. A rosette of leaves on top of the stem can be can be 100 - 150cm tall and 150 - 200cm in diameter. Around 36 - 72 leaves are produced on mature plants, each of which can be 70 - 100cm or more long and 7 - 10cm wide. After several years of growth, a flowering stem that can be around 3 - 5 metres tall is produced, after which the rosette will die. However, the plant usually produces a number of young plants around its base that will develop as new plants[, ].
The plant produces a fibre, but it is generally considered to be too weak for most purposes.

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

Southeast N. America - southern Florida.

Habitat

Sandy soils in hammocks at around sea level[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	3.00 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 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[].
This species often produces bulbils on the flowering stem, and these can be used for propagation[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].
Agave decipiens might have been introduced from Latin America by Native Americans; it is not otherwise known from the wild. The proliferation of chromosome numbers suggests prolonged human propagation and a probable hybrid origin[]. It may well represent an old pre-Columbian food or fibre plant[].

Edible Uses

We have seen no specific records of edibility, but there is a report that the plant could have been cultivated by native peoples as a food or fibre crop[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A fibre is obtained from the leaves[]. The fibre is very white, fine and soft, but only half the strength of sisal (Agave sisalana) and is therefore considered to be inferior[].

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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