THE MAGUEY

by Guadalupe Miranda Allende


I remember when my grandfather told me about this important plant, He had a lot of magueys in his land.


The maguey lives in the semi-desert, it mature between eight and twelve years and bloom only once, dying shortly afterwards. It has wide spiny leaves, called “pencas” are stored nutrients that allow to survive in a hostile environment. Also, there are a big number of insects, for example: the worm “magueyero” and the ant “aguamielera”, these are human foods.

• The maguey has been used to do other things:
• Aguamiel or Pulque: Very nutritious drink, has a very low percentage of alcohol because it’s produced by fermentation.
• Mezcal: It’s a kind of tequila.
• The leaf fibers. Used for weaving, hammocks and packaging.
• Paper.
• Tiles made from the “pencas”.
• Nails, awls and needles with the spines of the “pencas”.
• In ancient, the Mayas used it to make wind instruments.

Well, I think this plant is very important because it has lots of benefits for everyone and there are few places that retain it. For this reason we must care of this magnificent plant.