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Agave
plus, Furcraea and Sansevieria species and cultivars
Family: Asparagaceae (Formerly in Agavaceae)The Agaves and Sansevieria have really been rediscovered in recent years as landscapers search for easy-care plants with strong sculptural lines for use in gardens or as container specimens.
In the ground, little or no supplemental watering will be required. Like many other drought-tolerant plants, however, this group has potential to become environmental weeds in some areas, so take care. If in doubt, consult appropriate local authorities.
Agaves have potential to contribute economically to many semi-arid parts of the world. Research (Agave fuels global excitement as a bioenergy crop) indicates certain agaves could actually be superior to crops such as corn and soybean for biofuel production, without the associated diversion of land from high-value food prodiction. Agave biofuel could also be produced as a byproduct of tequila manufacture.
News
¡Agave!
 Part of the Queensland crop
Image courtesy University of Sydney
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The world's most famous agave product is, of course, tequila. The name is regulated, however. Officially, spirits labelled tequila should only be made in approved districts in Mexico using the 'Weber Azul' variety of Agave tequilana, also known as the blue agave. However, the carbohydrate-rich plant can be fermented anywhere it can be grown and the ethanol produced has many uses beyond the obvious one.
The blue agave is currently being trialled on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland. A report on the pilot farm and ethanol plant confirm that this is a crop with great potential for semi-arid Australia. Agave has significant advantages over sugarcane and corn as a source of biofuel. It doesn't compete with food production and is far more water efficient. The study also indicated lower risks to aquatic ecosystems compared to sugarcane. Associate Professor Daniel Tan (pictured left with some of the plants growing in Ayr, Qld) says that although falling oil prices do affect the economic viability of biofuel operations right now, the new demand for ethanol-based healthcare products - notably hand sanitisers - could change that. Source: 'Tequila' powered biofuels more efficient than corn or sugar, University of Sydney (April, 2020)
Older news at bottom of page.
Agave attenuata
Agave desmettiana in the Landscape
Agave geminiflora
Agave americana
Agave tequiliana
Other online information about Agave species
Furcraea foetida
This is an agave-like plant with quite slender leaves. You may have seen it recently in Balinese-style or other modern tropical gardens, particularly in its variegated form (F. foetida 'Mediopicta'). Actually, it was at one time classified as an agave (A. foetida or A. gigantea) and is still in the same family (Agavaceae). You may also see it listed as Furcraea gigantea. The common name of Mauritius Hemp alludes to its use as a fibre crop.
Older News
Dry Tequila
Like many other plants adapted to arid habitats, the tequila agave uses Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) to be able to photosynthesise while avoid opening its stomates during the day. Genetic analysis of tequila has indicated that CAM plants and regular plants have the same genes regulating these processes, it's the timing with which these genes are switched on and off. Scientists speculate that if the triggers can be identified, it may be possible to induce this water-saving mechanism in mainstream crop plants. Source: How tequila could be key in our battle against climate change (December 2016)
Saline soils have crop potential with Agave
Agave species could extend farming into hot, arid areas, producing a variety of edible and non-edible commercial products, but salinity could be a problem. When four types of Agave were tested, however, two species (Agave parryi and Agave weberi) performed well enough to demonstrate potential for cropping in saline soils. Source: Impacts of salinity determined for Agave (March 2016)
