Page 46 - Edible Trees For Tucson

Agave (Agave spp.)

Agaves are a spiny succulent with a basal leaf rosette of
fleshy, upright, grey-green leaves, with jagged edges
and thick spines. The Agave, or century plant, lives
for 10-25 years before producing a magnificent flower
stalk. Edible agave hearts may be collected in spring
and summer—the leaves of mature agaves are cut off
near their bases when the
plant begins to send up its
flower stalk and the central
hearts roasted in pits. Be
careful during the harvest, as
the raw flesh of many agaves
is caustic and can even blister
the skin. The extracted juice
may be consumed fresh as aguamiel (honey-water) or
fermented into pulque. Steamed heads or central stalks
are mashed and allowed to ferment with added liquid.
After several days, the fluid is distilled into the potent
liquor, mescal.

Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus spp.)

Barrel cacti are short and cylindrical with prominent
ribs. The genus name means “fierce cactus.” The
fishhook barrel has a wide, flat central spine that curves
downward at the end, and many
white, bristly radial spines. Orange,
red or yellow flowers appear in
clusters at the top of the plant from
July to September. The fruits are
elongated, yellow, fleshy and tart,
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