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 ghiesbreghtii is an evergreen, stemless, succulent plant forming a rosette of leaves that can be 40 - 70cm tall and 60 - 80cm in diameter. Mature plants can produce around 70 - 90 spiny leaves that can each be up to 40cm long and 8cm 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 often produces a number of suckers around its base that will develop as new plants[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of fibre. It is often grown in Mexico to form impenetrable living fences[].
Agave ghiesbreghtii has three relatively large subpopulations dispersed over a large area. Although there are local declines, and the distribution is relatively small, the species is not declining at a rate sufficient to qualify for a threat category. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' 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

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Range

Mesoamerica - Guatemala, north to southern Mexico (Puebla, Oaxaca)

Habitat

Tropical dry forests and shrublands, usually on limestone soils; at elevations from 150 - 2,200 metres[, ]. Dry rocky exposed hillsides, mostly or wholly on limestone[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.70 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, 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, usually 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.
This species is noteworthy for the fact that each blooming plant usually is encircled by a ring of suckers or hijos almost as large as the parent plant[]. (As Agave huehueteca)
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

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used to construct living fences in various Mexican states[]. It is often cultivated as a fence plant in several regions of Mexico, the plants forming impenetrable dense hedges when trimmed[].

Other Uses

The leaves contain a strong fibre[]. The fibre is prepared by boiling the leaves for six hours, putting them through rollers, and then scraping[].
The dried leaves are torn into strips for use as ties[].

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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