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Tequila Agave

Agave tequilana

Photo by Ava T-B
Published on Project Noah
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32.7153, -117.157

Field Notes

Description:

Agave tequilana, commonly called blue agave, tequila agave, mezcal or maguey is an agave plant that is an important economic product of Jalisco, Mexico, due to its role as the base ingredient of tequila, a popular distilled spirit. The high production of sugars—mostly in the form of fructose—in the core of this plant is the most important characteristic of the plant making it suitable for the preparation of alcoholic beverages.
The tequila agave is a native of Jalisco, Mexico. The tequila agave favors high altitudes of more than 1,500 meters and grows in rich and sandy soils. While commercial and wild agaves have different life cycles, both grow into large succulents, with spiky fleshy leaves, that can reach over two meters in height. Wild agaves, however, sprout a shoot when about five years old that can grow an additional five meters and are topped with yellow flowers.

Notes:

In Southern California, this becomes in invasive weed if you put it into the ground because it propagates by sending out underground runners that pop up with new agaves all around the garden. Beware!

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Photographed
PublishedSeptember 21, 2011

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