Agave maximiliana
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Agave maximiliana is a type of agave that’s used to produce raicilla, a regional mezcal from the Mexican state of Jalisco. In Jalisco, the agave, which is commonly known as lechuguilla, is primarily used to produce raicilla de la sierra, or the type of raicilla that is made in the mountains.
The needles at the end of the pencas are long and copper in color. Shorter needles surround each penca. It can grow up to eight meters tall or 25 feet and flowers from January to May. It reproduces only by seed.
A. maximiliana also grows in Sinaloa and Durango. These days it is cultivated on a fairly large scale and used in numerous mezcal brands.