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- agave
- maguey
- century plant
- agave nectar
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century plant
Century plant (Agave americana).
Century plant
several species of plant, Agave genus
Century plant, any of several species of Agave in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). The name is commonly applied to A. americana, which is grown as an ornamental in many places and is a source of the fibre maguey and of βagave nectarβ used as a sweetener. Despite their common name, most century plants do not live longer than 30 years; each rosette of leaves usually dies after flowering, though clonal pups at the base may persist.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.
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