Ixtle (Agave lechuguilla)

Family: Asparagaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Lechuguilla is a long-lived, drought-tolerant perennial. Lechuguilla provides important habitat and food to a diversity of Chihuahuan Desert mammals, reptiles, and birds but is poisonous to domestic livestock.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Spring, Early Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

rich in salts and minerals, is sold in Mexico as a sport drink. — The water stored in the flowering stalks of this plant, rich in salts and minerals, is sold in Mexico as a sport drink.

Habitat & North American Range

Restricted to desert habitats preferring limestone soils and alluvial soils in xerophyllous scrub, the limit of the distribution goes up to Pine and Juniper forests. (Zone 10)