Conservation Status

Notes

• Bulbils usually forming in the axils of the bracteoles after flowering. Further, capsules rarely develop, and when they are present they are 6 cm long. Additionally, Agave sisalana was first introduced to Hawai'i by the Hawaiian Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry in 1893. Also Sisal is widely cultivated around the world for the sisal hemp fibers retted from the leaves and used in the manufacture of cordage and twine. It previously was locally commercially cultivated primarily on the leeward sides of the islands, especially O'ahu and Kaua'i. The industry soon col- lapsed due to high labor costs but was revived a while during World War I
• Description digitized by Ashley wilson
• Description digitized from the Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii
• First introduced to Hawai'i by the Hawaiian Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry in 1893. Sisal is widely cultivated around the world for the sisal hemp fibers retted from the leaves and used in the manufacture of cordage and twine. It previously was locally commercially cultivated primarily on the leeward sides of the islands, especially O'ahu and Kaua'i. The industry soon col- lapsed due to high labor costs but was revived a while during World War I
• First reported in Hawai'i by Wawra as "Fourcroya" from Maui and O'ahu. Hillebrand described it as "almost natu- ralized." Furcraea foetida, which has foetid leaves when bruised, apparently does not produce seed in Hawai'i, but spreads rapidly by bulbils. It has become a pest in some areas.
• Native range unknown, but possibly indigenousto the Himalayas, southeasternAsia, Malesia, and northern Australia, and are widlery spread by early human migrations. The leaves of kt were used by Hawaiians as thatch for houses, food wrappers, hula skirts, and sandals. The sweet roots were baked for food or used to make an alco- holic beverage. Many cultivars are com- monly grown in gardens; these usually have leaves variously striped with purple to crim- son, rust, pink, or green.
• Plants grow to be 5-6 m tall. Capsules dark brown with age, erect, 3-angled, 5-10 cm long, usually falcate, abruptly constricted at apex, and not twisted. Native to New Zealandand Norfolk Island. Further, in Hawai'i uncommonly cultivated, but now firmly established in scattered locali- ties, spreading by rhizomes and seed, at least on Kaua'i and Moloka'i.
• Plants grow to be 5-6 m tall. Peduncles are dark brown, grow to be 2-3 cm in diameter, and glabrous. Cultivated prior to l87l
• The leaves were used by Hawaiians as thatch for houses, food wrappers, hula skirts, and sandals. The sweet roots were baked for food or used to make an alco- holic beverage. Many cultivars are com- monly grown in gardens; these usually have leaves variously striped with purple to crim- son, rust, pink, or green.