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Agave lecheguilla

Authority Torrey Family Liliopsida:Liliidae:Asparagales:Agavaceae Synonyms Common names dwarf agave, lecheguilla, Tula istle Editor Ecocrop code 2897

Notes
BRIEF DESCRIPTION The plant forms a rosette with no trunk above ground and with 25-50 leaves. By the end of its lifespand it produces a flower pole, 1.5-2 m high with light yellow flowers. USES A fiber is produced from the immature leaves and used in brushes and as a substitute for bristle. KILLING T It can tolerate -9°C without damage. GROWING PERIOD Perennial. It require 6 years to the first harvest, and can subsequently harvested twice a year for another 6 years. COMMON NAMES Istle, Ixtle, Mexican fiber, Lechhuguilla, Tula istle, Tampico fiber. FURTHER INF Istle can be found growing wild in Mexico, at altitudes between 180-2000 m. In southern United States, it is regarded as a weed and is stated to be poisonous to sheep and goats.
Sources
SOURCES (A. lecheguilla Torrey) Purseglove J 1972 pp 14 [RAIN, DRA, LIMITS, USE] Roecklein J 1987 pp 121 [USE] Duke J 1975 pp 5 [RAIN, TEMP, PH] Gentry H 1982 pp 652 Kirby R 1963 pp 405-410 [PH, RAIN, DRA, USE, LIMIT]