Sisal family
Description
A family of monocotyledons, most of them robust rosette plants, occurring in the tropics and subtropics, mainly in arid regions (Agavaceae 1).
The leaves are crowded, straplike, spined and succulent (Agavaceae 3). The flowers are borne in a raceme (Agavaceae 2), each flower with a united perianth, 6 stamens, and superior or inferior trilocular ovary. The fruit is a capsule or berry.
The family is most developed in South Africa.
There are about 20 genera.
Use
Some genera yield strong fibres known as hemps, used for the production of ropes, cordage, mats, sacks, fish nets, etc. In Mexico an alcoholic beverage is produced from fermented juice.
Described species
Agave sisilana, sisal hemp
Agave fourcroydes, henequen, see Agave sisilana
Agave heterocantha, istle, see Agave sisilana
Furcrea gigantea, Mauritius hemp, see Agave sisilana
Phormium tenax, New Zealand flax, see Agave sisilana