Brief Description
Maguey, scientifically known as Agave cantala Roxb., of the Amaryllidaceae family, originated from Mexico and to some extent cultivated in the Philippines specifically, in Central Visayas and Northern Luzon.
A maguey plant grows into a rosette of leaves which droops to a horizontal position when it matures. A rosette usually consists of 20 to 50 leaves.The leaves which crowd on the stem are fleshy, thick and persistent for several years. The thin grayish leaves end in terminal spines bearing marginal prickles. Each leaf is 5 ft. long while its width ranges from 2.5 to 4 inches and has an average weight of 200 grams.

Varieties

• Agave fourcroydes henequen
• Agave angutifolia
• Agave amaniensis
• Yucatan - piculs/year

• MR-Y is Maguey damaged, the qualities of which are too low to be included in the above normal grades.
• MR-O or Maguey strings are those fibers consisting of strings and twisted or knotted strands.
• MR-T or Maguey tow consists of very short or tangled fiber.

Soil Requirement

Fertile soil is not a requisite, thus, unproductive ones like rocky soil is still suitable for maguey production. It is also adapted to undulating or hilly areas and grows even along the seashore.