AGAVE AMERICANA: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, USES, CULTIVATION - BIOLOGY - 2025

Agave americana, known as yellow agave or pita, is a perennial acaule plant that belongs to the agavaceae family. Native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Mexico and southern North America, it has been widely distributed globally.

It is characterized by its long fleshy, lanceolate leaves with a serrated edge and a firm and hard terminal spine of almost 3 cm. The whitish-green leaves grow flush with the ground from a central stem or pineapple where they roll until they separate.

Agave americana. Source: pixabay.com

The yellow agave can live a maximum of 20-30 years, as long as it does not flower, since this species dies after flowering. Although it produces abundant seeds, the usual way of multiplication is from basal suckers.

The spirit drink called mezcal is made from the fermentation and distillation of juices from plants of the Agave genus. Specifically, the Agave americana species is used to make mezcal with a designation of origin from Oaxaca -Sierrudo, Arroqueño-.

General characteristics

Morphology

Agave americana is a perennial plant characterized by a short stem -acaule- where the leaves are born forming a basal rosette. The lanceolate and succulent leaves are 15-30 cm wide by more than 1-1.5 meters long.

The stalks are bluish-white, greyish-white, green or variegated; they are arranged in a spiral around the short central stem. In addition, they have toothed or wavy margins with a very fine, hard and rigid apical spine 2-3 cm long.

Also, the leaves have a thick cuticle due to the accumulation of wax on the epidermal surface. This fact, in addition to the presence of a large number of specialized stomata, contributes to the retention of moisture in dry periods.

Inflorescence of Agave americana. Source: pixabay.com

In this regard, the plant has a superficial root system that favors the absorption process of water and nutrients from the soil. Indeed, the accumulation of water and nutrients in favorable times determines the survival of the plant in prolonged droughts.

A. americana undergoes the phenomenon of monocarpism, that is, it flowers once at the end of the vegetative cycle; It produces a terminal inflorescence with a semi-woody scape over 8 m high that branches into small panicles.

The inflorescences made up of racemes with numerous 5-10 cm bisexual flowers are yellow-green in color. Agave pollination occurs exclusively by polynivorous or nectarivorous bats.

The fruit is an oblong, elongated 4-5 cm capsule and 6-8 mm seeds that are dispersed by the wind when ripe. At the base of the stem are formed numerous suckers or suckers used for vegetative reproduction.

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Liliopsida
• Subclass: Liliidae
• Order: Asparagales
• Family: Asparagaceae
• Subfamily: Agavoideae
• Genus: Agave
• Species: A. americana L., 1753

Detail of the inflorescence of Agave americana. Source: Karuna786

Habitat and distribution

The Agave americana species is native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Mexico and the southern United States, being introduced as an ornamental plant in various regions, including South America, the Mediterranean basin, India, Asia and Oceania.

In the Iberian peninsula it can be found in the wild in various regions, being considered an invasive species. In the Canary Islands it is located in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, El Hierro, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

Agave americana has xerophilous characteristics, as it adapts to unfavorable climatic conditions both in mountain and coastal ecosystems. Indeed, it is located from 800 to 3,800 meters above sea level in areas with prolonged periods of drought and temperature variation between 12-30º C.

Detail of the margins of the leaves. Source: H. Zell Detail of the apical spine. Source: Salicyna

It is located in a great variety of habitats related to arid and semi-arid lands with low rainfall and a high index of insolation. In fact, it is common in xerophilic, desert and midland scrublands, coastal areas, with low saline concentration, urbanized areas, and montane forests.

Applications

Nutritional

Agave produces a honey with a high content of amino acids: lysine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine, histidine, valine, methionine and arginine. As well as vitamins B and C, and mineral elements such as calcium (Ca), iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P).

From this honey you get a nectar used in confectionery, syrup or syrup, and chancaca or panela to sweeten juices. In addition, agave produces a fine oil and vinegar for dressings.

Liqueur

The production of a distilled liquor called mezcal, from the agave, is the most traditional use of this plant. The sugary juice obtained from the stems -pineapples- is subjected to thermal hydrolysis, then fermentation and distillation to obtain the mezcal.

Mezcal. Source: pixabay.com

Medicinal

Agave is used as a healing and anti-inflammatory, either for gastric problems or to relieve fractures or dislocations. Infusions of the leaves or stem are useful as a laxative, diuretic, antirheumatic and anti-syphilitic, as well as to soothe liver ailments and appendicitis.

The honey from the leaves is used to cure conjunctivitis problems and to treat stomach cramps. Agave has a high content of the fructan carbohydrate used in the pharmaceutical industry for the encapsulation of various medications.

Industrial

The high fiber content of the leaves allows the obtaining of threads used in the manufacture of ropes, ropes, nets, blankets and fabrics. From the leaves you get a soap for artisanal use; needles and dried leaves are raw material for combustion.

Environmental

The plant is used to protect the soil and control erosion on slopes; it is sown as a protector of walls, ditches and platforms. The nectar obtained from the leaves is used as a pesticide for fungal diseases, insect repellent, it also has microbial, molluscicidal and larvicidal activity. The agave is used as an ornamental.

Culture

The agave is commercially propagated from the suckers or suckers that grow around the mother plant. For this purpose, the suckers are separated using a clean, sharp and sharp knife, and left to dry in a cool place for 3-5 days.

Subsequently, it is sown in a loose, humid substrate and in full sun exposure until the plants begin rooting. Once firm and strong, we proceed to sow in the final field; In pots it is recommended to reseed annually due to the growth of the plant.

Commercial cultivation of agave in bloom. Source: Acilondioliveira

The yellow agave is usually sown in parks and gardens, isolated or in groups, as long as it is located in sunny places. Commercial crops require slightly clay loam soils with good sand content to promote drainage.

In pots, watering should be sporadic, taking care not to leave the plant dry for a long time. In commercial crops, the irrigation must be adapted to the climatic conditions; remember that the agave is a plant adapted to dry conditions.

A fertilizer with a high content of organic matter is recommended at the beginning of spring and coincides with the rainy season. The application of fertilizers during the autumn and winter is not recommended.

Pruning is generally not recommended, the ideal is to remove the basal leaves that are drying. This in order to prevent wilted leaves from becoming a vehicle for the accumulation of insects or the spread of diseases.

Diseases

Red ring (

At the middle level of the leaves there is a reddish band that can spread and affect the bud. The injury causes obstruction of the vascular bundles and a reduction in photosynthetic activity, promoting growth and development delay. Apply systemic fungicides initially or eliminate infected plants with severe attacks.

Bacterial wilt or bud rot (

The rot occurs at the level of the apical spine, causing rotting of the stem - pineapple - and the leaves. The plant shows growth retardation and finally death, the infection can be transmitted by insects. Apply bactericides and eliminate contaminated plants.

The removal of dried basal leaves is a preventive disease control method. Source: Alberto Salguero

Leaf wilt or marginal spot (

The affected areas present dark spots with yellowish edges on both sides of the leaf. In severe infections tissue necrosis occurs on the edges or middle part of the leaf, causing the bending or breaking of the leaf. Apply contact fungicides and selective pruning.

Bold or smallpox (

Black spots appear at the level of the basal leaves, severe infections cause total necrosis of the leaf. The infection can be transmitted to the sucker, so preventive disinfection and application of contact foliar fungicide is recommended.

Blight (

The symptoms of blight in agave appear as a chlorosis of the bud, which tends to droop. Followed by a dry soft rot at the level of the leaves or buds that degenerates into a generalized blue-gray rot.

Selective pruning or applying a systemic fungicide is recommended. In severe infections, elimination of the mother plant and suckers, burn the contaminated material and disinfect the land.

References

1. Agave americana (2019) Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
2. Dana Sánchez, ED, M. Sanz, S. Vivas & E. Sobrino. 2005. Invasive Plant Species in Andalusia. General Directorate of the Network of Protected Natural Spaces and Environmental Services. Ministry of Environment. Junta de Andalucía. 233 pp.
3. Duque Sánchez, JC (2013). Evaluation of three reproduction methods of the blue penco (Agave americana), in the Tocachi Parish, Pedro Moncayo Canton, Pichincha Province. Universidad Politécnica Salesiana Quito (Graduate Thesis)
4. Hackman, DA, Giese, N., Markowitz, JS, McLean, A., Ottariano, SG, Tonelli, C., Weissner, W., Welch, S. & Ulbricht, C. (2006). Agave (Agave americana). Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy, 6, 2. 101-122 pp.
5. Agave Pests and Diseases Manual (2017) Campaign Phytosanitary Management of Perennial Crops. Guanajuato State Plant Health Committee - CESAVEG ®
6. Nogales, Luis (2018) The 9 species of mezcal agaves from Oaxaca. Mezcology: The Center for Studies on Maguey and Mezcal AC Recovered at: mezologia.mx
7. Rivera-Rivera, CJ (2016) Contribution of the Agave americana to ecosystem services in the rural community of Joras-Ayabaca-Piura; Peru. La Molina National Agrarian University. (Thesis)
8. Rodríguez Garay, B., Gutiérrez Mora, A. and Rodríguez Domínguez, JM (2017) The raw material for mezcal. Science and Development. Recovered at: cyd.conacyt.gob.mx