Century Plant (Agave americanaL.)

Abstract

HISTORYThe fermented beverage, pulque, was depicted in Native American stone carvings from 200 AD. 1 This native plant of Mexico and the southwestern United States was introduced into Europe during the 16th century as an ornamental plant, and now this plant occurs throughout the Mediterranean region. Agave species were an important food source and commodity for both prehistoric and historic Native American peoples across the Southwest and Mexico. Agave tequilana A. Weber (i.e., an Agave species other than the century plant) is an important distillation stock for tequila liquors.