Lytle, Melody
Agave lechuguilla Torr.
Lechuguilla
Agavaceae (Century-Plant Family)
The succulent, yellow-green rosettes of lechuguilla are 1-2 ft. tall and widely suckering. Thick, leathery leaves are tipped with a strong spine. The lechuguilla, like its relative, the maguey or century plant, requires 12–15 years to store up enough food for the production of the large flower stalk, which then grows amazingly fast up to 15 feet tall. The stalk is unbranched and flexible, so that it often bends when it is heavy with buds or flowers, retaining a permanent, graceful arc. The upper part of the stalk is covered with a solid mass of purplish or yellowish flowers. After producing flowers and seeds, the stalk dies.
This formidable plant was a dangerous obstacle in the early exploration of the Southwest. The sharp leaves pierced horses legs, and a rider who fell could be impaled. Horses familiar with the country can usually avoid it.
Image Gallery:
18 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: NM , TX
Native Distribution: W. TX, s. NM & Mex.
Native Habitat: Desert plains; mountains
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Dry, rocky, limestone soils.
Conditions Comments: The succulent, yellow-green rosettes of lechuguilla are widely suckering. Thick, leathery leaves are tipped with a strong spine. A cluster of yellow to pinkish-white flowers occurs on a 6-9 ft. stalk which rises from center of
rosette after 8-20 years. After setting
fruit, the
entire plant dies. This agave is often cultivated in rock gardens. It is tolerant of poor, acid soil.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: The plant reproduces by putting out offshoots, which are often eaten by deer and javelinas.
Use Food: The hearts not safe to eat. Dangerously high concentrations of saponins and other toxic compounds.(Tull)
Pulque, mescal, and tequila are made from the fermented
sap of the flower stalk.
Use Medicinal: Toxic juice from leaves used as arrow poison, a fish stupefier, a medicine and a soap. (Tull)
Tarahumara people of Mexico once used the plants poisonous compounds on their arrows and in water to poison fish.
Use Other: Leaf fibers for cordage for bow strings, nets, baskets, mats, sandals, blankets, and cloth. Roots pounded and soaked in water used for soap and shampoo. (Tull)
Native Americans obtained fiber from the leaves to make rope, mats, and baskets.
Warning: Certain compounds in Lechuguilla are poisonous, and livestock can die from eating this plant during a drought, when the succulent leaves become the forage of last resort. Humans should generally avoid consuming any plants that are toxic to animals. The leaves of Lechuguilla are so sharp they can cause injury to animals and humans and can even puncture the tires of off-road vehicles.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Agave lechuguilla is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2009-02-20
