Sisal

Agave sisalana

Physical Characteristics

Agave sisalana is an evergreen Perennial growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

C. America - southern Mexico.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Sap Shoots Edible Uses: Edible portion: Leaves, Sap, Plant heart, Vegetable. Root. The heart of new shoots - cooked[ 301 ]. The sap from the flower stalk is fermented to make an alcoholic drink[ 301 ]. The roots are used in the production of an alcoholic beverage[ 301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Dysentery Leprosy Sisal is a folk remedy for dysentery, leprosy sores, and syphilis. It is a source of hecogenin[ 317 ]. The leaves contain hecogenin used in the partial synthesis of the drug cortisone[ 418 ].

Known Hazards

Sisal plants, Agave sisalana, consist of a rosette of sword-shaped leaves about 1.5-2 metres (4.9-6.6 ft) tall. Young leaves may have a few minute teeth along their margins, but lose them as they mature.[4] The sisal plant has a 7-10 year life-span and typically produces 200-250 commercially usable leaves. Each leaf contains an average of around 1000 fibres. The fibres account for only about 4% of the plant by weight. Sisal is considered a plant of the tropics and subtropics, since production benefits from temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius and sunshine.