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Furcraea andina - Trel.

Common Name Pacpa, Fique
Family Asparagaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards Spines or sharp edges.
Habitats Tropical highlands. All climates, from coastal plains to elevations above 3,000 metres.
Range Native to Andean regions of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. From here it was extended to Venezuela and the east coast of Brazil.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Furcraea andina Pacpa, Fique


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Furcraea andina Pacpa, Fique
Rodrigo.Argenton on Wikimedia.org

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Furcraea andina is a PERENNIAL growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 1.5 m (5ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Furcraea delevantii Riviere

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves
Edible Uses:

Edible Portion: Bud, Leaves - alcoholic drink. The young buds are edible. They are pickled. The leaves are used to make a fermented 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.


The leaves have been used in topic preparations for treatment of boils. The extract of leaves is used against horse lice.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Packing (sacks and packages for agriculture). Ropes, Tapestry (rugs and tapestry). The fibres can be stained with different organic materials, such as avocado seed, achiote and eucalyptus cortex. Handcrafts, purses, bags, handbags, mattresses, curtains, shoes, umbrellas, baskets and many other products. Subproducts: Pulp for organic fertilizer and paper. Leaves juice used for soap, fungicides, alcoholic beverages (homemade tapetusa), organic fuel and animal food. Floral stem used in the construction of houses and ladders. Carbon Farming Solutions - Industrial Crop: fiber. Good leaf lamina fibres that need to be seperated from the rest of the plant. Lamina fibres cannot be used for fine textiles but for rope, nets, bags, and rugs. (Industrial crops are 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) [1-1]. Agroforestry Services: living fence (Agroforestry is a land use management system in which trees or shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland).

Special Uses

Carbon Farming

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Industrial Crop: Fiber  Management: Standard  Regional Crop

Climate: tropical highlands. Humidity: semi-arid to humid. A xerophytic monocot. A perennial succulent with basal rosettes of sword-shaped, fleshy, toothed leaves. Frost tender, min. 6C, 43F). Requires a sunny position and well-drained soil. Tolerant to arid conditions and soils poor in nutrients, but it requires semi-humid conditions, warm temperature and exposure to sunlight for good development. Prefered pH 5.1–5.4. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: regional crop. Management: standard (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation) [1-1].

Carbon Farming

  • Industrial Crop: Fiber  Clothing, rugs, sheets, blankets etc. Currently, almost none of our fiber are produced from perennial crops but could be!
  • Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
  • 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:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seeds. Bulblets, Cuttings. Best method by bulbils found on lower stems.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Cabui, Cabuya, Chuchao, Coquiza, Maguey, Penca, Penco, Pita, Fique

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Andes. Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, South America

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 : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Furcraea acaulisCocuizaPerennial1.5 10-12 MLMHSNDM003
Furcraea cabuyaCabuyaPerennial2.0 9-11 FLMSNDM002
Furcraea foetidaMauritius HempPerennial2.0 9-11 FLMSNDM023
Furcraea hexapetalaFique, Cuban HempPerennial1.0 9-11 FLMHNDM012

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.

 

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Botanical References

Links / References

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