maguey

maguey: see amaryllis.

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century plant

 or American aloe or maguey

Species of agave (Agave americana), of Mexico and the southwestern U.S. It takes many years (from five to 100) to mature, flowers only once, and then dies. It is widely cultivated for its large spiny leaves and enormous flower cluster, and may reach 20 ft (6 m) in height. Century plants provide the distinctive ingredient for the alcoholic drinks pulque and mescal.

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maguey [mə′gā]

(materials)

A fiber obtained from the agave (Agave cantala); maguey fibers are white, stiff, brilliant, and light in weight, and are used chiefly for binder twine.