Agave or Aloe Vera plant (several hundred Agave species)
These edible plants have large clusters of thick, fleshy leaves borne close to the ground and surrounding a central stalk. The plants flower only once, then die. They produce a massive flower stalk.
Where to the Agave plant in the wild
Agaves prefer dry, open areas. They are found throughout Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of the western deserts of the United States and
Mexico.
Edible parts of the Agave plant
Its flowers and flower buds, leaves (to a lesser degree), stalks, and sap are edible. Boil them before eating.
Other uses for the Agave plant
Cut the huge flower stalk and collect the juice for drinking. Some species have very fibrous leaves. Pound the leaves and remove the fibers for weaving and making ropes.
Most species have thick, sharp needles at the tips of the leaves. Cut around the base of the “needle”, without penetrating the core of the leaf, then carefully detach and pull the needle from the plant. The core, which looks like a multi-fiber thread, will remain attached to the needle and will slide out of the leaf giving you a handy “needle and thread” that is all ready to go. Use this for sewing or making hacks. I have heard reports of some repairs made using the agave “needle and thread” trick have lasted for several years even after the repaired clothing items were passed through multiple machine-washes.
The sap of some species contains a chemical that makes the sap suitable for use as a soap. Leaf tea or tincture taken orally is used to treat constipation and excess gas. It is also used as a diuretic. Root tea or tincture is taken orally to treat arthritic joints.
Note: The juice of some species causes dermatitis in some individuals and in some cases may cause blistering. The Agave plant parts of some species contain high concentrations of saponins which are toxic. Drinking too much of the juice can cause stomach cramps.
