Hello Cowboys and Cowgirls!
You probably already came across the Agave in the game. It is a versatile plant that grows in the hot and dry deserts and semi-deserts of North America, Central America and the north of South America.
There are about 270 species of this plant, which belong to the asparagus family. An agave is also called century plant, they bloom only once and until they bloom, time to pass can be very long.
This plant is useful in several ways (and that pleases Karen). It serves as a supplier of fibre, sisal is probably well known, ixtle fibre is another type of fibre, it is used in brooms, brushes, mats, and ropes.
In addition (and this pleases other inhabitants of the region) agaves contain a lot of sugar. The fermentation of this sugar is used to manufacture tequila or mezcal.
Agave syrup is also used in cooking as a substitute for honey.
Researchers are working on the extraction of fructans, which is a similar starch that is extracted from potatoes and wheat, except that these fructans could prove to be better tolerated by diabetics. In addition, agaves are interesting for food security and the production of bioethanol because of their resilience in their habitat.