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cantala

Scientific Name: Agave cantala

Family: Agavaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Agave cantala

Agave cantala is known by the common names cantala, Bombay aloe, Cebu maguey, and Manila maguey.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Agave cantala (Haw.) Roxb. ex Salm-Dyck
  • Family: Asparagaceae (formerly Agavaceae, Liliopsida:Liliidae:Asparagales)
  • Synonyms: The text refers to infraspecific taxa of Agave cantala (Haw.) Roxb. ex Salm-Dyck.
  • Authority: Roxb.

Distribution and Habitat

Agave cantala is cultivated chiefly in warm regions of the Old World. It is considered a tropical American plant. One source mentions a research botanist from Phoenix, Arizona.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Agave cantala is an evergreen, succulent, perennial plant.
  • It forms a rosette of leaves that can grow up to 2 meters long.
  • Towards the end of its life, the plant produces tall spikes.
  • The plant has fibrous, sword-shaped leaves.

Plant Uses

  • The leaf fibers are used to produce cordage, twine, rope, and nets.
  • Some varieties are cultivated for ornament.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Agave cantala contains saponin spirostanol glycosides.

Resources and Further Information

  • Wendy C. Hodgson, Research Botanist, Curator of the Herbarium, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Kirby, R.H., 1963. Vegetable fibres: botany, cultivation, and utilization. Leonard Hill, London, United Kingdom & Interscience Publishers, New York, United States.