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:

General Information

Agave potrerana is an evergreen, thick-stemmed, succulent plant forming a rosette of leaves that can be 70 - 100cm tall and 150 - 200cm in diameter. The leaves on mature plants can each be 40 - 80cm long and 6 - 7cm wide near the middle. After several years of growth, a flowering stem that can be around 4 - 8 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.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use of its fibre. It is grown as an ornamental[].
Agave potrerana occurs very scarcely across a large area, the population is severely fragmented and a continuing decline is reported in the literature and suspected from lack of new herbarium records. It is suspected that the total number of mature individuals is less than 10,000 and the number in each of the subpopulations is less than 1,000. The species faces many threats and it is found for sale online in international websites, where demand seems high. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013). However it is very likely that it qualifies for a higher threatened category and more research is urgently needed on its distribution, population size, threats and ecology[].

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[].

Botanical References

Range

Southwestern N. America - northern Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila)

Habitat

Rocky outcrops in pine-oak forest and grasslands; at elevations from 1,000 - 2,400 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.85 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, 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[].
Most Agave species are monocarpic, individual rosettes living for a number of years without flowering before sending up an often very large flowering stem and then dying after flowering and setting seed. This agave grows as single individuals, it does not sucker or form colonies, and dies after flowering[].
Individual plants take about 7 - 15 years in their native habitat, considerably longer in colder climates, before flowering[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Fibres obtained from the leaves are used for cordage[].

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.