Yes, the fact that agave has thorns at the ends of the leaves, and cacti have no leaves at all, they turned into thorns (not to mention the fact that these plants belong to different families – agave to asparagus, and cactus to cactus).
Unlike cactus, agaves rarely bloom, some only once in a lifetime. Yes, and their flowers are different – cacti have single flowers on short peduncles, and agave blooms, forming a peduncle (up to 12 m high) with a large number (up to 17 thousand) of flowers.
Agaves and Cacti are succulent plants that are capable of surviving rocky or weak soils as well as high temperatures. They are utilized as indoor plants as well as ornamental plants since they require low maintenance. Agaves generally are covered with long, fleshy leaves that are creating rosettes.
The Cacti, Cactaceae, are distinguished by having spines the vast majority of them.
The agaves, from the Greek agauos “illustrious, eminent, admirable”, and the cactus, from the Greek káktos “thorny thistle”, are not taxonomically related, but both are small treasures.
The agave genus comprises around 140 species. The agaves are a source of beverages (tequila, mezcal, and pulque), their large leaves have been used to build roofs, and their valuable fiber is used in the same way: henequen is also used as feed for cattle, not forgetting that they’re also great plants decorative.
It is crucial to point out that during the process of preparation of fibers, large leaves of agaves hold something interesting in the chemical structure: steroids, that can function as progesterone and estrogen hormones that in the late 1940s, were utilized in a small amount in the production of orally contraceptive pills throughout the US.
Cacti include greater than 1600 different species that are adored for their fruits, namely pitayas and prickly pear as well as for their healthy and delicious nopalitos. They are also utilized to feed livestock and supply the animals with water.
However, the cochineal insect which feeds on cacti produces a stunning reddish color which could be used for dyeing the clothes of Emperor Moctezuma as well as the clothing of nobles, kings, and clergymen of Europe. Cacti as ornamental plants offer an exceptional decorative element to your gardens, homes, or workplaces.
Cacti and agaves constitute the primary species because of the nutrients they supply to cope with the changing climates. They are extremely resistant to desertification and soil erosion They also contribute to their water conservation, and are crucial to protecting our future.
Did you know…
Of the various psychoactive substances found in cacti, the most famous is peyote, which contains mescaline, a hallucinogenic substance considered to be “medicine”.
Agave
Agave, (genus Agave), a genus that encompasses about 200 species of the Asparagaceae family (formerly Agavaceae), native to the arid and semi-arid regions of the Americas, particularly Mexico and the Caribbean.
Agaves are one of several types of “succulent” (high moisture content) plants. They typically have thick fleshy leaves and depending on the species may have numerous spines on the tips or margins of the leaves. Some may have no spines at all. The “century plant” is the most commonly grown in local landscapes; however, there are numerous other agaves equally appropriate and often more desirable for specific desert landscape use.
Agaves are fascinating plants that live for many years. Often called “century plants,” this genus is comprised of succulent perennials that patiently grow and accumulate their reserves to put out one grand flower show. Fortunately, flowering doesn’t take 100 years, but it can take up to 30.
Quick ID:
- Rosette of fleshy, basal leaves.
- Spines along the leaf margins and a large spine at the tip.
- Tall spikes of flowers that bloom only once in the plant’s life.
An agave’s flowers are similar to those of some other flowers and a few others. One of its features is the magnificent flowering stem that rises upwards and branches out into a variety of flowers, which resembles the appearance of a cartoon tree.
Because agaves originate from harsh environments, they are plants that are able to thrive in indoor environments. They require minimal maintenance and are extremely resilient to all conditions in the domestic. The only thing it requires is to be in a sunny area.
Another advantage is that their growth rate is extremely slow which allows them to remain within the same pot for a long time.
This is one of several Agave species that can be used in making tequila-like liquor. (True tequila is produced from Agave tequilana, commonly called blue agave.) The nectar from the plant is marketed as a natural sugar with a low glycemic index due to its high fructose content.
Agave And Cacti Common Characteristics
While it is true that all cacti plants are succulents, the reverse is not true. The misconception comes from the fact that the two types of plants evolved in the same geographic region and, as such, share some characteristics. Agave, succulents are plants with thick fleshy leaves or stems which can store water for long periods of drought. Cacti, on the other hand, evolved to survive in an arid environment and as such evolved to store their water in a stem or trunk in order to survive periods of drought.
Both plants have a spiky prickly nature which discourages animals from eating them.
Both plants have a long lifespan and store energy in their stems. Despite these similarities, there are many differences between the two. For example, the spines or thorns you see on both plants are different because the agave’s spiky parts line the side or the end of the leaves whereas the cactus spines come from the indentations in their stems known as areoles.
The position of the spines is sufficient to tell the two plants apart when you look at the plant closely.
What Are The Difference Between Agave and Cacti?
Although the terms cactus and agave are often used interchangeably by gardeners, botanists and others, they are not the same. Cacti belong to the family Cactaceae, while agaves belong to Agavaceae.
The Cactus and Agave come from distinct plant families and are not closely related.
The most obvious difference is that plants in the cactus family do not have leaves and store water in their stems, whereas Agave has thick leaves that protrude from a central point.
When it comes to plants, the Cactus and Agave are among the most well-known and popular. Both plants are from distinct plant families, and due to this fact, they have many differences that set them apart from each other.
The most obvious difference is that plants in the cactus family do not have leaves, whereas agaves have leaves that protrude from a central point. Typically cacti have no leaves or only a few leaf-like protrusions additionally they are also distinguishable by the rounded indentations on their stems.
HGIC website stated that Most agaves are monocarpic, meaning that an individual plant only flowers once in its life and then dies. In fact, the name “century plant” is a much-exaggerated reference to a long time it takes for the plant to flower. In SC, agaves generally require 10 to 15 years to grow large enough to bloom.
Fortunately, before agaves flower, they usually produce offsets or “pups.” These offsets can be transplanted or left in place to succeed in their mother and grow until their own exuberant end. And the cycle repeats. As you drive around SC this summer, keep your eye out for flowering agaves. They aren’t super common but are worthy of admiration!
FAQ
Is Blue Agave Considered a Cactus?
If you’re wondering whether agave is a cactus or not, there’s no need to panic. Your succulents are safe and sound in your garden. The confusion may be due to the fact that both agave (Agavaceae) and cactus (Cactaceae) are included in the order of succulent plants. In fact, these two plant families share many characteristics: both are native to arid environments, and both have specialized anatomical structures such as thick waxy cuticles and fleshy leaves to enable them to conserve water.
Though similar in some ways, these plants are actually very different from each other. First, an agave is technically not a cactus; it is classified as a member of its own family, Agavaceae. And while agaves do have spines, they’re more like hair-like fibers than the sharp thorns found on true cacti. Plus, unlike cacti which open their flowers during the day, agaves have flowers that open at night—they’re very interesting flowers too!
How Do I Identify an Agave Plant?
Look for thick, stiff symmetrical leaves ranging in color from blue-gray to gray or blue to dark-blue with spiny margins that taper to a sharp point.
The dark-red or black spines growing from the leaf margins are about 1/3-inch long and those growing from the tips grow to around 1/2-inch long.
How Poisonous Is Agave?
Exposure to the sap from Blue Agave can cause burning, pain, swelling, and rash. The moment you are exposed to any species of Agave sap, your skin will begin to blister, from the toxic compounds. Blue Agave is one of the most commonly used plants in Mexico for the production of Tequila and Mezcal.
It is also used to make syrup and sugar.
Few cases of contact dermatitis caused by the components of Agave americana sap have been reported. This condition usually presents with a very rapid onset of intense itching and burning associated with the appearance of marked erythema and edema in the affected area.
This means that if the skin is exposed to sunlight or UV rays while still having contact with the plant’s sap, a rash may appear where the plant’s sap touched your skin.
Can You Eat Agave Fruit?
Agave tequilana, or Blue Agave, is the only species of agave that’s used commercially to make tequila. It’s native to the states of Jalisco and Guanajuato in Mexico, where it grows mainly in tropical highland regions. The main reason agave tequilana is selected over other species for use in tequila production is because it naturally contains more sugar than other agaves.
Blue Agave and Maguey are the species most commonly used for food and drink.
What Is Another Name for Agave?
Common names include century plant, maguey (in Mexico), or American aloe (though not related to the genus Aloe). The name “century plant” refers to the long time the plant takes to flower.
The agave is most famous for its sap, which is used to make tequila and other alcoholic drinks. Its leaves are also used in cooking.
Like any succulent, the agave has thick leaves that store water inside them. The flowers are borne at the end of stalks that grow directly out of the center (the “core”) of the agave’s rosette of leaves.
Source:
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/agave/
https://greenhouse.biology.indiana.edu/features/cacti-succulents/Agave-americana.html
https://worldheritage.si.edu/en/sites/agave.html
https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1225.pdf
https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1225.pdf