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| Clarence A. Rechenthin @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database |
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Summary
Lechuguilla is a long-lived, drought-tolerant perennial. Lechuguilla provides important habitat and food to a diversity of Chihuahuan Desert mammals, reptiles, and birds but is poisonous to domestic livestock.
Physical Characteristics
Agave lechuguilla is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Agave poselgeri, Agave multilineata, Agave lophantha var. tamaulipasana, Agave lophantha var. subcanescens, Agave lophantha var. poselgeri.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Stem
Edible Uses:
The water stored in the flowering stalks of this plant, rich in salts and minerals, is sold in Mexico as a sport drink.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Aztecs made a powerful antibiotic from a mixture of Lechuguilla juice and salt and used it as a dressing for wounds and a balm for skin infections.
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Carbon farming Solutions - Industrial Crop: fiber (Crops grown for non-food uses. Industrial crops provide resources in three main categories: materials, chemicals, and energy. Traditional materials include lumber and thatch, paper and cardboard, and textiles). Agroforestry Services: living fence (Agroforestry is a land use management system in which trees or shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland). This species is mainly used in the fabrication of brushes and scrubbers (NatureServe 2009); the leaf fibres are used to make ropes (SpottedBird 2000). Utilization of lechuguilla fibers, soaps, foods, and drinks by southwestern people (US) was extensive historically and continues today. Lechuguilla fibers called "istles," Ixtili, or Tampico are strong and durable. Fibers were used to make ropes, twine, sacks, saddle cloths, basketry, paint brushes, sandals, hair brushes, and when formed into a cord was used in clothing construction. Lechuguilla nectar attracts hummingbirds, wasps, bees, butterflies, and beetles.
Special Uses
Carbon Farming
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Agroforestry Services: Living fence Industrial Crop: Fiber Management: Standard Regional Crop
Climate: subtropical to tropical. Humidity: arid to humid. Lechuguilla is common on dry hills, plains, rocky slopes, and limestone highlands. Lechuguilla occupies habitats with semiarid continental climates. The Chihuahuan Desert averages 7.7 to 13.7 inches (196-348 mm) of annual precipitation, and summer temperatures above 100 °F (40 °C) are common. In the northern portion of the Chihuahuan Desert, precipitation averages 9.7 to 10.4 inches (245-265 mm), 70% to 80% of which falls in the summer. The average low winter temperature is 36 °F (2 °C) and mean summer high is 90 °F (31 °C). Throughout lechuguilla's range, the densest populations occur below 4,900 feet (1,500 m). Lechuguilla is shallowly rooted. The average depth is 4 inches (10 cm). It produces flowers after three to five years and dies after flowering. Threatened by deer and javelinas (peccaries) who eat it, however, it is poisonous to cattle. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: regional crop. Management: standard (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation) [1-1].
Carbon Farming
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Agroforestry Services: Living fence
Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
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Industrial Crop: Fiber
Clothing, rugs, sheets, blankets etc. Currently, almost none of our fiber are produced from perennial crops but could be!
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Management: Standard
Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
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Regional Crop
These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
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Plant Propagation
Propagation from offshoots is the fastest and most reliable method of agave plant production. Agave are difficult to grow from seed. Seeds readily germinate but seedling establishment is rare. Temperatures exceeding 95 °F (35 °C), however, decrease germination percentages. The lack of "specialized germination requirements" may limit lechuguilla's ability to establish by seed.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
lechuguilla, Maguey lechuguilla, Shin Dagger, Tampico Fiber
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (New Mexico (south), Texas), Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Durango (east), Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas (north), Hidalgo, Ciudad de México)
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
None Known
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Least Concern
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
Torr
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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Subject : Agave lechuguilla
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