Today’s sculpture of the day is entitled ‘Agave’ by april wagner
Blue Agave is actually related to the lily and amaryllis (it has its own genus, Agave). It is known as a succulent and, although it shares a common habitat with many cacti, it is not one itself and has a different life cycle. A mature agave has leaves 5-8 feet tall, and is 7-12 feet in diameter. It has a life span of 8-15 years, depending on species, growing conditions and climate. The name agave comes from the Greek word for ‘noble.’ There are 136 species of agave in Mexico, of which the blue agave – agave tequilana weber azul – is the only one allowed for use in tequila production. Several different species of agave are allowed for use in mezcal, including a rare wild species, tobala. Other agave plants are used for the production of various regional drinks like sotol, raicilla, bacanora and pulque. Agave has been cultivated on this continent for at least 9,000 years. No Mexican alcoholic drink is made from cactus. However, cactus is used in some fruit drinks, salads and other food items.
Agave grows best above 1,500 meters. According to some, the best agave plants grow on the slopes of the extinct volcano beside the town.