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: Lechuguilla

General Information

Agave lechuguilla is an evergreen, stemless, succulent plant forming a rosette of leaves around 30 - 50cm high and 40 - 60cm wide. The leaves of mature plants can each be 30 - 50cm long and 3 - 4cm wide near the base. After several years of growth, a flowering stem that can be up to 2 - 3 metres tall is produced, after which the rosette will die. However, the plant usually produces a number of young plants around its base that will develop as new plants. Plants are often found growing in very dense clusters, especially on rocky, limestone soils[, ]
The plant is cultivated and also harvested from the wild, often on a commercial scale, for use as a source of 'ixtle' fibre[]. It is also utilized locally as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is reported that in Mexico almost one million people depend on this species to produce handicrafts or industrial articles[].
Agave lechuguilla has a wide range across Mexico and the southern US states of New Mexico and Texas. Even though the species is collected, it has good recovery and the overall population is stable. It also occurs within protected areasThe plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

The plant is said to be poisonous to cattle, sheep and goats[, ].
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

Southwestern N. America - southern New Mexico to central Mexico

Habitat

Desert habitats preferring limestone soils and alluvial soils in xerophyllous scrub, the limit of the distribution goes up to Pine and Juniper forests; at elevations from 700 - 2,300 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.20 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. Many species can withstand at least a few degrees of frost and will succeed outdoors in warm temperate climates, 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 drought[].
Agave species are monocarpic, individual plants living for a number of years without flowering then sending up an often very large flowering stem and then dying after flowering and setting seed. This species, however, normally produces many new plants from suckers and offsets during its lifespan and these new plants will continue the life-cycle. Over time, some plants can form extensive clonal colonies by this means[].
This species produces flowers after three to five years in its native habitat[].
The outer leaves of the rosette are hard, coarse, and difficult to work for their fibre. Younger, more tender leaves, grow
in a tightly formed cluster, or 'cogollo', at the plant's center. It is from this central bud of unopened leaves that the commercially viable fibre (ixtle de lechuguilla) is extracted.
The plant's lifespan is contingent upon the time and frequency of the removal of this central cluster. When the plant is approximately 6 years old, the centre bud contains a marketable fibre. If the plant is not harvested this bud will develop into a 2 - 3 metres high flowering stem, and shortly thereafter the plant will die. Conversely, if this bud is removed during the sixth year of growth, and is periodically cut thereafter, the plant may live 15 - 20 years before dying. The time required to regenerate new buds after cutting varies with rainfall conditions. If precipitation occurs in sufficient quantities, a new centre bud can be ready for harvesting in 6 months. During drought periods, regeneration
may require as long as 12 months)[].
Agave lecheguilla reproduces vegetatively, with new suckers developing from the rhizomes of the mother plant. Field studies conducted at experimental stations in northcentral Mexico indicate that the greater the exploitation of the bud, the more rapid the increase in the number of new suckers[]

Edible Uses

The young, more tender leaves, growing in a tightly formed cluster at the centre of the rosette, were traditionally boiled and eaten as a staple food. They are little used at present[].

The plant is used in making 'mezcal'[]. Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage that potentially can be made from almost any species of Agave, though only around fifty are used regularly and 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

An infusion of the main stem is applied against the pain of rheumatism[]. The report does not make it clear if it is taken internally or applied topically[].

Steroids can be extracted from the leaves and make this and several other species of agaves a potential source of corticosteroid preparates[].

Research has shown that an ethanolic extract of the leaves has an anti-microbial effect[].

Other Uses

Fibres obtained from the leaves are used for making ropes, brushes, scrubbers and other objects such as bags and sacks[]. The fibre has been suggested as potential alternative crop plant for cellulose production[].
Although plastic fibres have, to a large extent, replacd the use of plant fibres, the unique properties of ixtle fibre, particularly its durability, resiliency, texture, and water absorbency, mean that it is still an important article of international trade. It is particularly suitable for a range of applications including power-driven cylinder brushes, for cleaning and buffing purposes in steel mills and metal fabricating plants, in rotary floor scrubbers and polishers etc, and it is used in its pure state, or in combination with horsehair, in floor sweeps, counter dusters, calcimine brushes, roofing brushes, pastry brushes, and to some degree in scrub and bowl brushes[].

Rootstocks of living plants are high in sapogenin content and are used as a soap. The rootstocks are crushed and the soapy solution that forms when root fragments are placed in water and agitated effectively eradicates dirt[]. It is used for washing clothes, as a hair shampoo etc[].
The leaves are also used as a soap substitute[]. In particular, when the fibres are extracted from the leaves the residual leaf pulp (which contains some of the border spines) forms a soapy mass known locally as 'guishe'. This mass has an abrasive quality and is mixed with water to scrub pots, pans etc, and is also used for washing[].

The flowering stem is traditionally used in constructing the walls and roofs of homesteads[].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a light position, mid spring in a warm greenhouse. 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 in the greenhouse until they are at least 15cm tall. Plant out at the beginning of the growing season, and give some protection from the cold for at least their first few winters[].
Offsets and suckers can be potted up at any time they are available. Keep in a warm greenhouse until they are well established[].
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.