Agave americana “Century Plant”

Agave americana Fun Facts

• The common name “Century Plant” does not mean the plant will live for 100 years. The typical lifespan is 10-30 years.
• The Agave americana is classified as being monocarpic, meaning after they bloom, the main plant dies leaving behind it’s offsets, or baby plants.
• The fast growing flower spike of Agave americana can reach anywhere from 30 to over 50 feet in height and has been observed to grow 6-9 inches per day.
• Indigenous groups used to use Agave americana for food, to make rope, cord and use the sharp tips as needles.
• Agave americana is used to make Mexican spirits, such as tequila.
• The emerging flower spike of Agave americana closely resembles a shoot of asparagus. Oddly enough, this plant belongs in the Asparagus family (Asparagaceae).
  The Agave americana can grow to 6′ in height and 10-12′ in width.
• Like many other succulents, the sap of Agave americana can cause severe skin irritation.
• The sap from several agave species, including Agave americana is used to make “Agave Syrup” or “Agave Nectar”, a low-glycemic sweetner.
• The flowers of Agave americana are pollinated by hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and bats.
• Agave americana contains a substance called saponins, which can be beaten into a foamy substance used for washing.
• Both the flowers and flower buds of Agave american are edible. They are boiled or sauteed and added to dishes like scrambled eggs, soups and salads.
• Agave americana is native to Mexico and the southwestern United States (Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico) and has naturalized in many parts of the world.