sisal

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• sisal
• Agave
• Sisal
• hemp-plant
• mescal
• sisal-hemp
• Hemp Plant
• Sisal Hemp
• Sisal Plant

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Agave segurae
• Agave sisalana var. armata
• Agave sisalana f. armata
• Agave rigida var. sisalana
• Agave amaniensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales, falling within the family Asparagaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Agave.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several regions in Southern Europe. In Southwestern Europe, its distribution includes the Balearic Islands, Sardinia, and mainland Spain. Moving toward the eastern part of the continent, it can also be found throughout Southeastern Europe. Specifically, its range extends into Albania and various parts of Italy. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive within the Mediterranean climate zone.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Agave sisalana is characterized by its adaptability to a wide vertical distribution, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 2000 m AMSL. It thrives in specific environmental niches, including anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and the semi-arid Caatinga biome (stricto sensu), where it has integrated into both modified landscapes and natural dry shrublands. To survive in these environments, the plant employs biological defense mechanisms, as indicated by its possession of defensive traits.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu)

Genetics

The genetics of Agave sisalana are characterized by significant chromosomal complexity and high levels of polyploidy, which contribute to the plant's robust physiological traits. A defining feature of its genomic structure is the variation in its karyotype, specifically regarding its chromosome number. Research into its cytogenetic makeup has documented highly elevated values, with reported chromosome numbers including 138, 149, and 150. This high chromosome count indicates a complex evolutionary history involving multiple rounds of genome duplication, a common phenomenon in the Agave genus that likely supports the plant's adaptability and vigor. Such genomic instability and large-scale polyploidy are central to the species' genetic identity, influencing its phenotypic diversity and its ability to thrive in diverse environmental conditions.

Chromosome number :

138, 149, 150

Life history

The life history of Agave sisalana is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a cryptophyte, specifically classified as a hemicryptophyte, meaning its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected from environmental stressors. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage year-round to facilitate continuous photosynthetic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Agave sisalana is characterized by a growth form classified as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. The plant is self-supporting rather than being a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variation in plant height, with minimum measurements starting at 1 m, a mean height of approximately 1.5 m, and a maximum potential height reaching up to 7 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7 m

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Agave sisalana is characterized by a specialized Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) photosynthetic pathway, which allows the plant to optimize water-use efficiency in arid environments by fixing carbon dioxide at night. Its structural morphology features an arrangement of leaves in a dense rosette pattern, where individual leaves exhibit an elliptic form. These leaves vary significantly in size, with a minimum length of 90 cm and a maximum length reaching up to 150 cm, while their width ranges from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 11 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability to support its metabolic processes.

Leaf arrangement :

rosette

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

150 cm

Leaf length min:

90 cm

Leaf width max:

11 cm

Leaf width min:

5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

CAM

Reproduction

The reproduction of Agave sisalana is characterized by a flowering period that typically begins in June and concludes in August, though the timing can be variable throughout the year. During this cycle, the plant produces flowers that are distinctly green in color. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule, with the fruit reaching a maximum length of approximately 6 cm. These fruits are dehiscence-type, meaning they are dehiscence-capable to facilitate the release of seeds. The dispersal syndrome of the plant is classified as autochorous, relying on internal mechanisms for seed dispersal.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

6 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Agave sisalana has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Gels (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Agave sisalana has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, Barbourgenin, Chlorogenin, DIOSGENIN, Gentrogenin.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Barbourgenin

1. Dr. Duke

Chlorogenin

1. Dr. Duke

DIOSGENIN

1. Dr. Duke

Gentrogenin

1. Dr. Duke

Gitogenin

1. Dr. Duke

Hainangenin

1. Dr. Duke

Hentriacontan-1-ol

1. Dr. Duke

Hongguanggenin

1. Dr. Duke

Lignins

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Activities

Agave sisalana has 70 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Androgenic, Angiogenic, Anorexic, Antiadenomic, Antiandrogenic.

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadenomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiandrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiatheromic

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Cervix)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Lung)

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Agave sisalana has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Inflammation, burns.

Inflammation

1. Gels (Basel, Switzerland)

Burns

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Preparations

Agave sisalana has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Crude methanol extracts, plant extracts, sisal (RS) extracts.

Crude methanol extracts

1. East African medical journal

Plant extracts

1. Tropical animal health and production

Sisal (rs) extracts

1. Gels (Basel, Switzerland)