About Agave
With its spiny-leaved, rosette shape, an agave plant is easy to recognize. Those who enjoy a good margarita know that it is the blue agave they have to thank for the existence of tequila. Aside from that, some people may not realize that the agave plant has a laundry list of attractive qualities that has made it a New World favorite for thousands of years. Does this Spark an idea?
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Geography
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Agave plants have New World origins. Though predominately found in Mexico, some varieties can be found in the southwest of the United States as well as central and tropical South America. In Mexico, the umbrella term Maguey refers to the hundreds of plants in the genus agave.
History
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Agave plants were prized in Mesoamerican cultures for their wide variety of uses. Virtually every part of the plant was used in these ancient times. In fact, many of these civilizations printed their codices (sacred documents that recorded things like histories, religious ceremonies and astronomical charts) on mexiote, a paper made from agave fiber. Certain agave nectars were cultivated and fermented to be consumed by kings and priests in special religious ceremonies. From food and drink to textiles and religious significance, these abundant species of succulent plants were keystones in ancient Mesoamerican societies.
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Types
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The genus agave is home to hundreds of plant types. However, it is easy to narrow the field down to a handful of plants which are most common throughout the United States and Mexico. Lovers of spirits will recognize agave tequilanam, or blue agave, as the chief component of tequila and mescal. The most common agave plant in the gardening world is the agave americana, which is widely known as the century plant (the name referring to the long time it takes for the plant to flower). Another popular gardening variety, especially in Central Mexico, is agave attenuata. Its curved flower spike gives the plant its common name: foxtail agave.
Significance
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Agave plants have been prized for centuries for their ability to satisfy a variety of needs from aesthetics to sustenance. Landscapers and gardeners all over the world consider agave plants (especially the century plant) to be great additions to their spaces. Not only are they attractive, they also require little water and care once they have become established. Some varieties are almost entirely edible: stalks, flowers, leaves and sap. Agave sap is likely the plant's biggest claim to fame. It is the sap of the blue agave that is cultivated and fermented to make tequila. People have also begun to look at agave nectar as a natural sweetener, organic and nutritionally preferred to refined sugar. Companies all over the world have sprung up to sell agave nectar and honey.
Warning
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With all the benefits attributed to agave plants, some people might feel compelled to locate these succulent plants in the wild to satisfy their curiosity. It is strongly recommended, however, to leave the cultivation of agave byproducts to those with professional experience. Some agave plants in the wild excrete a juice that can cause severe contact dermatitis. This particular dermatitis can cause a rash that can last up to two weeks and itching that can come and go for as long as a year. The same warnings apply to those who purchase agave plants for gardens or landscapes.
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