noun
definition
A plant of the genus Agave, which includes the maguey or century plant (Agave americana), which produces a gigantic flower stem at maturity.
Examples of agave in a Sentence
The agave and prickly pear, the myrtle, the olive and the dwarf palm grow luxuriantly; and the fields are covered with narcissus, iris and other flowers of every hue.
A peculiar and highly profitable branch of Mexican agriculture is the cultivation of the Agave for two widely different purposes - one for its fibre, which is exported, and the other for its sap, which is manufactured into intoxicating liquors called "pulque " and " mescal."
The natural and forest products of Mexico include the agave and yucca (ixtle) fibres already mentioned; the " ceibon " fibre derived from the silk-cotton tree (Bombax pentandria); rubber and vanilla in addition to the cultivated products; palm oil; castor beans; ginger; chicle, the gum extracted from the " chico-zapote " tree (Achras sapota); logwood and other dye-woods; mahogany, rosewood, ebony, cedar and other valuable woods; " cascalote " or divi-divi; jalap root (Ipomaea); sarsaparilla (Smilax); nuts and fruits.
In connexion with the various designs such fine plants as Agave americana, Dracaena indivisa are often used as centre-pieces.
The vegetable products of Guatemala include coffee, cocoa, sugar-cane, bananas, oranges, vanilla, aloes, agave, ipecacuanha, castor-oil, sarsaparilla, cinchona, tobacco, indigo and the wax-plant (111yrica cerifera).
Most veins are usually easily traced, but in the case of succulent plants, as Hoya, agave, stonecrop and mesembryanthemum, the veins are obscure.
Not to mention the olive, which must have been introduced at a remote period, all the members of the orange tribe, the agave and the prickly pear, as well as other plants highly characteristic of Sicilian scenery, have been introduced since the beginning of the Christian era.
A characteristic growth of the open plateau and upland valleys is the cabulla, cabaya or maguey (Agave americana), whose fibre is much used by the natives in the manufacture of cordage, sandals (alpargatas) and other useful articles.
The latter are usually constructed from the tough fibre of the Agave americana and consist of one or more cables.
Hats and hammocks are made from the fibres of the mocora and toquilla palms, and sandals from the fibre of the Agave americana.
Nipa, made from the fibre of the agave or maguey plant and worn by women, is less common.
New Mexico has such a great range of elevations that all four of the zones of vegetation into which the South-West has been divided according to altitude are found within its limits; namely, the zone of cactus, yucca and agave (3000-3500 ft.), where grass is scanty; the zone of greasewood and sage-brush (3500-4900 ft.), where there is little grass, and the cactus species are less numerous; the zone of the cedar (4900-6800 ft.); and the zone of the pine and fir (6800 - 10,800 ft.), in which grass is more abundant.
Agave americana, century plant, was introduced into Europe about the middle of the 16th century and is now widely cultivated for its handsome appearance; in the variegated forms the leaf has a white or yellow marginal or central stripe from base to apex.
At the expiration of this period the gods gave him to wife Harmonia, daughter of Ares and Aphrodite, by whom he had a son Polydorus, and four daughters, Ino, Autonoe, Agave and Semele - a family which was overtaken by grievous misfortunes.
The soil is fertile, and the indigenous flora has been greatly enriched by the importation of such plants as the agave, the Mexican opuntia, the American maple, the Australian eucalyptus, the Scotch fir and the so-called Portuguese cypress (Cupressus lusitanica) from the Azores.
The fibre of the agave is also made into rope and its juice into pulque.
His mother Agave having joined the revellers on Mount Cithaeron, Pentheus followed and climbed a lofty pine to watch the proceedings.
Being discovered he was torn to pieces by Agave and others, who mistook him for some wild beast.
A great variety of shrubs grow on these slopes of the western Caucasus, chiefly the following species, several of which are indigenous - Rhododendron ponticum, Azalea pontica, Aristotelia maqui, Agave between 1864 and 1878, and the country where they had lived remained for the most part unoccupied until after the beginning of the 10th century.
The agave or American aloe is cultivated in a similar manner throughout Andalusia.
There are, however, premium tequilas made from 100% blue agave.
Growth and mycotoxin production of aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus were inhibited by extracts of Agave cactus (the cactus used in tequila ).
The stem of the agave seems enormous in size when one considers that it is the growth of a few weeks.
The most familiar species is Agave americana (see fig.), a native of tropical America, the so-called century plant or American aloe (the maguey of Mexico).
The rope is made from a plant named Agave Sisalana that is found in Mexico.
After hearing so much about this natural sweetener you may wonder if there's a catch; is agave nectar safe?
For most people, a little agave nectar won't hurt.
Diabetics and others who have trouble regulating their blood glucose levels should choose their agave products carefully to ensure they're choosing pure agave syrup.
Others may find that unpleasant agave side effects preclude their use of this product.
Agave nectar is the most common form of agave sweetener found in grocery and health food stores nationwide.
Agave nectar comes from the sap of the agave cactus.
People through the Southwestern United States and Central America used the entire agave plant for many purposes.
The early Spaniard colonists tried fermenting agave sap and created a new beverage, tequila, when they couldn't import European liquor fast enough to meet demand.
Herbal folklore hails the agave as a plant to treat constipation and stomach woes.
Agave is rich in saponins, chemicals which can increase blood flow.
It is thought that a little agave syrup encourages digestion and elimination.
For those wondering "is agave nectar safe?", it is but with some cautions.
Long-term studies on the safety of agave have not been conducted yet and it is unknown whether or not heavy, long term use can cause any ill effects.
Some studies on agave among humans have yielded some surprising side effects.
Glycemic Research Institute that diabetics not use agave or agave products.
Dr. Mercola warns that many agave products simply mix a bit of agave with high fructose corn syrup and water, creating a diluted mixture that's not particularly healthy.
Just because the label says it is sweetened with agave doesn't mean that the company hasn't mixed other less expensive sweeteners into the product to cut manufacturing costs.
Such mixes may lead diabetics to believe it's safe to use agave when in fact it can adversely impact their blood glucose levels.
There's a slight risk of miscarriage if too much agave syrup is taken.
Some people find they're allergic or sensitive to agave, in which case they should simply discontinue use of the product.
Cut back on your use of agave and see if the stomach problems disappear.
Keep in mind that agave's herbal medicine effect is said to be on the stomach and to help constipation, so you may simply be taking too much and stimulating the digestive tract too much.
Stevia is another herbal sweetener that may prove better for you if you are sensitive to agave.
You can enjoy rooibos can as often as three times a day, hot or iced, and it can be sweetened with a natural sweetener like honey, agave or stevia.
If you are interested in using a natural option in place of white refined sugar, you may want to consider honey, agave syrup, or fructose as viable options.