Asparagaceae FAMILY Critically Endangered

Agave temacapulinensis

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & 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[ 1846 Title The Agaves of Baja California Publication Occasional Papers of the California Academy of Sciences, No. 130, Author Gentry H.S. Publisher California Academy of Sciences; San Francisco Year 1978 ISBN 0068-5461 Description ].

Botanical Description

Agave temacapulinensis is an evergreen, stemless, succulent plant forming a rosette of leaves that can be 8 - 115cm tall and 172cm in diameter. Around 20 - 25 leaves are produced on mature plants, each of which can be 55 - 90cm long and 15 - 20cm wide near the base. After several years of growth, a flowering stem that can be around 5 - 6.5 metres tall is produced, after which the rosette will die. However, the plant sometimes 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 as a medicine and food wrap. Agave temacapulinensis has an extremely small range and extent of occurrence, it occurs in only one location and this is heavily affected by agriculture and livestock, and almost entirely within the area soon to be occupied by the Zapotillo dam reservoir, which is nearly completed. Once the reservoir is filled, only 20% of the population will remain. The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeSouthwestern N. America - western Mexico (Jalisco)

HabitatThis species is known to grow at ecotones between the Juniperus, Taxodium and thorn gallery forests in calcareous outcrops; at elevations from 1,600 - 1,700 metres[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].