Back
Agave tequilana F.A.C.Weber
| Family Name: | Asparagaceae |
| Synonyms: | Agave palmaris Trel., Agave pedrosana Trel., Agave pes-mulae Trel. |
| Common Name: | Tequila Agave, Weber's Blue Agave, Blue Agave, Tequila Weed |
A cultivar of this species (Agave tequilana 'Weber Azul') is used to make the Mexican alcoholic beverage tequila.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Succulent Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Compact |
| Maximum Height | 1.2 m to 1.8 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 1.2 m to 1.8 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Desert / Semi-Desert) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Desert / Arid, Highland / Montane |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial herb. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Blue-green to bluish-grey, stiff leaves are linear with a pointed apex that ends in a spine. Leaves are arranged in a rosette. |
| Flowers | Yellow flowers are tubular and arranged in a branched cluster known as a terminal panicle. The inflorescence stalk (known as a mast) reaches up to 5 m tall. Plants flower once at about 5 years of age, and then die. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: The heart of 12-year-old plants are heated to extract the sap, and then the sap is fermented to make tequila. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
| Thematic Landscaping | Rockery / Desert Garden, Economic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Leaf |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bat Food |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant |
| Propagation Method | Aerial Plantlet |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Silver / Grey, Green - Bluish Green, Red |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Powdery / Waxy Bloom, Thick |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Silver / Grey, Green - Bluish Green |
| Foliar Modification | Spine (marginal) |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Spiny |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Green - Bluish Green |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
| Flowering Habit | Monocarpic, Long-lived |
| Flower Colour(s) Remarks | Bluish Grey |
| Typical Flowering Age | 5 years |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 310 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1606 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
