Common Name: Pescadillo o Tehuizote

General Information

Furcraea longaeva is an evergreen succulent plant developing a central trunk that can be up to 45cm in diameter and around 3 - 6 metres tall, occasionally reaching 9 metres. A dense rosette of 100 or more leaves is produced on the top of the trunk, individual leaves can be up to 150cm long and 12cm wide[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is often grown as an ornamental1207]..
Furcraea longaeva has a very wide distribution, a large population and currently is not experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southwest N. America - western Mexico (Puebla, Oaxaca)

Habitat

Dry thorn forests and xerophitic scrubland, growing on stony slopes and mountain tops, on shallow soils derived from limestones or sandstones, at elevations from 1,800 - 3,100 metres, but mainly from 2,200 - 2,650 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant can spend long periods without flowering[, ].
Plants often produce large quantities of bulbils that fall to the ground and develop into new plants. The bulbils can withstand difficult conditions and remain viable for a considerable period[].

Edible Uses

Flowers[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used to make living fences[, ].

The dry stem of the plant is used to provide homes for bees[, ]

Other Uses

The leaves are rich in saponins, when crushed in water they produce a rich foam and can be used to wash various utensils and clothes[, ].

The dried, fibrous leaves are torn into strips and used as ties[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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