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Useful Temperate Plants

Agave ocahui

Gentry

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
 
].

+ Synonyms

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Agave ocahui is an evergreen, succulent plant developing a short trunk on which there is a rosette of leaves that can be 30 - 50cm tall and 50 - 100cm in diameter. The leaves on mature plants can each be 25 - 70cm long and 15 - 25mm wide near the base. After several years of growth, a slender flowering stem that can be around 3 - 4.5 metres tall is produced, after which the rosette will die[
1842
Title
The Agave Family in Sonora; Agriculture Handbook No. 399
Publication
 
Author
Gentry H.S.
Publisher
Agicultural Research Service, USDA; Washington D.C.
Year
1972
ISBN
 
Description
Gives quite a lot of information on the traditional uses of the plants.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for loca use as a source of fibre. The plant is often grown as an ornamental for semi-arid regions[
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.
]
Agave ocahui grows on mountain tops (sky islands) which makes it vulnerable to climate change. Some signs of the impacts of climate change are already noticeable, such as the fires resulting from extended periods of droughts. It occurs in 10 locations based on threats including increased fires and cattle ranching and only a few collections are observed within protected areas. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[
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

1842
Title
The Agave Family in Sonora; Agriculture Handbook No. 399
Publication
 
Author
Gentry H.S.
Publisher
Agicultural Research Service, USDA; Washington D.C.
Year
1972
ISBN
 
Description
Gives quite a lot of information on the traditional uses of the plants.
,
1844
Title
Agave Agavaceae
Publication
Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Monocotyledons, pp 21-311
Author
Thiede J.
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-56486-8_111
Publisher
Springer Nature
Year
2020
ISBN
 
Description
 

Range

Southwest N. America - northern Mexico (northeast Sonora)

Habitat

Limestone and volcanic substrate on cliffs with vegetation of thorn scrub to tropical deciduous forest and grasslands; at elevations from 500 - 1,500 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 StatusNear Threatened
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Shrub
Height0.50 m
Cultivation StatusOrnamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Agave ocahui is a relatively cold-hardy, somewhat frost-tolerant plant, and can be grown in the semi-arid regions of southwestern USA[
1842
Title
The Agave Family in Sonora; Agriculture Handbook No. 399
Publication
 
Author
Gentry H.S.
Publisher
Agicultural Research Service, USDA; Washington D.C.
Year
1972
ISBN
 
Description
Gives quite a lot of information on the traditional uses of the plants.
].
Often found in poor, shallow soils in the wild, but grows more vigorously in deeper soils[
1842
Title
The Agave Family in Sonora; Agriculture Handbook No. 399
Publication
 
Author
Gentry H.S.
Publisher
Agicultural Research Service, USDA; Washington D.C.
Year
1972
ISBN
 
Description
Gives quite a lot of information on the traditional uses of the plants.
]
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.
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.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The leaves contain an abundance of a coarse, strong fibre that is used to make brushes and cordage[
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.
,
1842
Title
The Agave Family in Sonora; Agriculture Handbook No. 399
Publication
 
Author
Gentry H.S.
Publisher
Agicultural Research Service, USDA; Washington D.C.
Year
1972
ISBN
 
Description
Gives quite a lot of information on the traditional uses of the plants.
].

The leaves and the flowers contain 05 - 1% sapogenins[
1842
Title
The Agave Family in Sonora; Agriculture Handbook No. 399
Publication
 
Author
Gentry H.S.
Publisher
Agicultural Research Service, USDA; Washington D.C.
Year
1972
ISBN
 
Description
Gives quite a lot of information on the traditional uses of the plants.
]. When crushed and placed in water they make a lather and can be used as a soap.

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[
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 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[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Offsets and suckers can be potted up at any time they are available. Keep in a warm greenhouse until they are well established[
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.
].
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.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Agave+ocahui>

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