About Agave atrovirens Karw. ex Salm-Dyck
Agave atrovirens, commonly known as maguey verde grande, is an Agave species in the family Agavaceae that is native to the Mexican states of Oaxaca, Puebla, and Veracruz. This is one of the largest known Agave species; only Agave missionum approaches its maximum size, and mature individuals can occasionally reach a weight of 2 tonnes, equal to 2.0 long tons or 2.2 short tons. Each of its succulent leaves can grow up to 4.5 meters (15 feet) long and weigh 45 kilograms (99 pounds) individually. In the nominate variety A. atrovirens var. atrovirens, leaves may also grow to as much as 40 centimeters (16 inches) wide. Like other Agave species, its leaves grow in a rosette shape. After many years, a panicle of flowers emerges from the center of the rosette on a long scape, also called a peduncle. The developing scape initially resembles a very large asparagus stalk, and eventually grows to over 12 meters (39 feet) tall, developing side branches near its top that hold numerous flowers. These flowers open red and gradually change color to yellow as they mature. Each rosette flowers and produces fruit just one time, then dies. According to Fayaz, this species produces offsets, commonly called "pups". In the wild, it only grows at elevations between 1,800 and 3,400 meters (5,900 to 11,200 feet), in areas with more frequent cloud cover. Plants of the World Online accepts two varieties of this species: Agave atrovirens var. atrovirens, which has the synonym A. a. cochlearis, and Agave atrovirens var. mirabilis (Trel.) Gentry. Agave atrovirens is classified as one of the pulque agaves, and it is used to produce mezcal.
