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 zebra is an evergreen, stemless, succulent plant forming a rather open rosette of leaves that can be 40 - 60cm tall and 100 - 160cm in diameter. The leaves on mature plants can each be 50 - 80cm long and 12 - 17cm wide near the base. After several years of growth, a flowering stem that can be around 6 - 8 metres tall is produced, after which the rosette will die[].
The plant has been used for making the distilled alcoholic beverage 'mezcal'[]. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens, valued especially for the attractive cross-striping of its leaves[].
Agave zebra has a relatively restricted range, occurring in two isolated locations, one of which, Cierro del Viejo, is being affected by prolonged droughts. The quality of the habitat is also decreasing, making it more difficult for the species to establish new seedlings. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

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

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Range

Southwest N. America - northwest Mexico (Sonora)

Habitat

Open rocky slopes of limestone mountains, growing in xerophyllous scrub.; at elevations from 145- 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Agave zebra is native to a very dry environemt in northwest Mexico[].
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. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental. It is valued especially for the attractive cross-striping of its leaves, which appears to be accentuated in plants exposed to full sunshine. Seedlings show this banding from a very early age[].
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. Although it rarely produces offsets in the wild, cultivated plants often produce them[].
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

The plant has been used for 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

None known

Other Uses

None known

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.