agave

Everyday

1. An agave is a plant with thick, spiky, sword-shaped leaves that grows in hot, dry places, mainly Mexico and the south-west USA. tree →
2. Agave syrup (agave nectar) is a sweet syrup made from it. tree →
3. Agave is also a name given to a girl or woman, such as a character in Greek myths. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons it is an example of a plant adapted to the desert, storing water in its thick leaves. In food it is a sweetener. Phrases: agave syrup, blue agave, century plant.

Examples

• The agave stores water in its fat, spiky leaves. tree →
• Some agaves flower only once after many years and then die. tree →
• Mum uses agave syrup instead of sugar. tree →
• Be careful — agave leaves have sharp tips. tree →
• The agave is sometimes called the century plant. tree →
• Agaves grow in dry, sunny gardens. tree →
• The children of Cadmus and Harmonia were one son, {205} Polydorus, and four daughters, Autonoe, Ino, Semele, and Agave. tree →

Note

Countable. Said a-GAH-vee. Myth: the "century plant" does not take a hundred years to flower — usually 10 to 30. Agave is not a cactus.