Edible Plants of the World

Sisal, Hemp

Sisal, Hemp

A tropical plant. It suits tropical and subtropical places. It grows on a wide range of soils. It can withstand waterlogging and can tolerate drought. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. It does best in gritty, well drained soils and in full sun. It can grow in light shade. It is sensitive to cold. It can grow in arid places.

Also known as:

Agave sisal, Khonje, Lafa, Mkonge, Na-nat-shaw, Shikwenga, Te robu, Umugweegwe, Yaxci

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Sisal grow?

Found in: Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cayman Islands, Central Africa, Central America, China, East Africa, East Timor, El Salvador, Eswatini, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Kiribati, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mediterranean, Mexico, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Pan tropical, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, St Helena, Swaziland, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Uganda, United States, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are about 250 Agave species. The Agavaceae are mostly in the tropics and subtropics.

Status: It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.

Growing Sisal, Hemp

Cultivation: Plants are normally grown from suckers or from the bulbils on the flower stalk. Mostly very few of the seeds will grow. After flowering the whole plant dies. Flowering normally occurs after 7 years.

Edible Uses: The sweet sap is used to make beer. The heart of the new shoots is eaten. The flower stalk can be boiled or roasted.

Production: The plant is fast growing.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Heart of plant - - - - - -
Sap - - - - - -

Sisal, Hemp Photos

Sisal, Hemp Sisal, Hemp Sisal, Hemp Sisal, Hemp Sisal, Hemp

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