Agave cantala agave - (Haw.) Roxb. ex Salm
(Haw.) Roxb. ex Salm-Dyck
Agave
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Agave cantala agave is an evergreen Perennial growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Edible Uses
Shoot buds - cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Known Hazards
Agave cantala is a species in the genus Agave which contains approximately 257 to 341 species and belongs to the family of the Agavaceae (Century-plant Family). The type species of the genus is Agave americana.
Distribution
C. America to southern N. America - Mexico.
Where It Grows
Coming Soon
Cultivation
It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 17 - 30c, but can tolerate 10 - 38c. It is able to withstand occasional temperatures down to at least -4?c, so long as the weather and soil are fairly dry. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 400 - 2,700mm. Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7.5, tolerating 6 - 8. The leaves contain about 4% fibre and yields of clean fibre vary between 1.1 - 3 tonnes per hectare. A monocarpic species - the plant lives for a number of years without flowering but dies once it does flower. However, it normally produces plenty of suckers during its life and these continue growing, taking about 10 - 15 years in a warm climate, considerably longer in colder ones, before flowering. The plant has a lifespan of more than 15 - 30 years.
Propagation
Seed - Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Other Uses
Other uses rating: High (4/5). Agroforestry Uses: Often planted as a hedge along the roadsides and in gardens, it is also used for reducing soil erosion along rivers and brooks. Other Uses A fibre is obtained from the leaves. It is mainly used for baskets, mats, fishing-nets, ropes, harvest binding strings, hammocks, bags and sandals. The fibre is finer but less strong than that of sisal (Agave sisalana) and henequen (Agave fourcroydes). It is more suitable for spinning than that of sisal. Wrapping paper is produced from the remainders. The roots contain saponins and can be used as a soap substitute.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Agave: Agave cantala.
