Agave salmiana var. ferox
(K. Koch) Gentry
Giant agave
gbif· cc-by-nc
Jordi López-Pujol
gbif· cc-by-nc
Jordi López-Pujol
gbif· cc-by-nc
Jordi López-Pujol
Summary
Source: WikipediaAgave salmiana var. ferox (Agave ferox) is a variety of the species Agave salmiana belonging to the genus Agave and the family Asparagaceae. It is very close to the typical subspecies in terms of description and culture. It is differentiated by even thicker and stiffer leaves, a terminal sting (up to 8 cm) and even sharper lateral spines. This is also what earned it its name.
Description
An agave. It is a large succulent plant. It grows 1-1.5 m tall and spreads 1.2-1.5 m wide. The leaves are in a ring from the base. They are shiny, fleshy and green. The tip has a spine. There are hooked black-brown spines along the edge. The flowering stalk is 5 m tall. The flowers are green to yellow.
Edible Uses
The central bud is edible.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in open areas on sand or clay soils. It grows in the lowlands and up to 1,800 m above sea level.
Also Known As
Agave raksasa, Pulque agave
References (3)
- Casas, A., et al, 2016, Ethnobotany for Sustainable Ecosystem Management: A Regional Perspective in the Tehuacán Valley. In Lira, R.,et al (eds.) Ethnobotany of Mexico. Springer Chp. 8 p 199
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 31
- Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 998 (Under Agave ferox)
