Agave potatorum
Zucc.
Asparagaceae
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[
1855- Title
- Two new species of Manfreda Salisb. (Agavaceae) from the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
- Publication
- Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 135(2), 2008, pp. 168-177
- Author
- Hernández-Sandoval L., Orellana R. & Carnevali G.
- Website
- http://dx.doi.org/10.3159/08-RA-023.1
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
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)[
].
Agave amoena Lem. ex Jacobi
Agave auricantha Baker
Agave quadrata Lem.
Agave saundersii Hook.f.
Agave schnittspahnii Jacobi
Agave scolymus polymorpha A.Terracc.
Agave verschaffeltii Lem. ex Jacobi
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[
1207- Title
- Flora del Valle de Tehuacán-Cuicatlán
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/118975#/summary
- Publisher
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Year
- 1993 - 2015
- ISBN
- 968-36-3108-8
- Description
- An excellent flora (in Spanish) of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán biosphere reserve in southeastern Mexico. It can be downloaded from the Internet
].
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)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
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[
1846- Title
- The Agaves of Baja California
- Publication
- Occasional Papers of the California Academy of Sciences, No. 130,
- Author
- Gentry H.S.
- Publisher
- California Academy of Sciences; San Francisco
- Year
- 1978
- ISBN
- 0068-5461
- Description
-
].
Botanical References
1207- Title
- Flora del Valle de Tehuacán-Cuicatlán
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/118975#/summary
- Publisher
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Year
- 1993 - 2015
- ISBN
- 968-36-3108-8
- Description
- An excellent flora (in Spanish) of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán biosphere reserve in southeastern Mexico. It can be downloaded from the Internet
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[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
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[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
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[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[
233- Title
- Perennial Garden Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thomas. G. S.
- Publisher
- J. M. Dent & Sons, London.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0 460 86048 8
- Description
- A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
].
Edible Uses
Flower buds and the tender young inflorescences - cooked[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
The plant is used in the production of mezcal[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
,
454- Title
- Useful Fiber Plants of the World
- Publication
-
- Author
- Dodge C.R.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- USDA; Washington.
- Year
- 1897
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A rather dated, but very comprehensive catalogue of fibre plants from around the world. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
1845- Title
- Population Dynamics and Sustainable Management of Mescal Agaves in Central Mexico: Agave potatorum in the Tehuacán-C
- Publication
- Econ. Bot. 69(1): 26-41, 2015
- Author
- Toees I. et al
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-014-9295-2.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2015
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]. 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[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. No more information.
The leaves are antiinflammatory and are used to reduce swelling[
1207- Title
- Flora del Valle de Tehuacán-Cuicatlán
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/118975#/summary
- Publisher
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Year
- 1993 - 2015
- ISBN
- 968-36-3108-8
- Description
- An excellent flora (in Spanish) of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán biosphere reserve in southeastern Mexico. It can be downloaded from the Internet
].
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[
133- Title
- Growing from Seed. Volume 1.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rice. G. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Thompson and Morgan.
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. 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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