Agave tequilana Through the 1990s, diseases spread, particularly "Fusarium" fungi and "Erwinia" bacteria, exacerbated by the low genetic diversity of the agave plants. Other problems include the agave weevil, "Scyphophorus acupunctatus", and a fungus, "Thielaviopsis paradoxa". According to a 2004 study, additional pathogens, "Erwinia carotovora", "Enterobacter agglomerans", "Pseudomonas mendocina", and "Serratia" spp. are responsible for continued rot. The homoisoflavanones 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-methoxybenzyl)-chroman-4-one, 7-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-chroman-4-one and 4’-demethyl-3,9-dihydro-punctatin can be isolated from "A. tequilana". Agave tequilana Agave tequilana, commonly called blue agave () or tequila agave, is an agave plant that is an important economic product of Jalisco, Mexico, due to its role as the base ingredient
Agave moisture from rain, condensation and dew. In addition to growing from seeds, most agaves produce 'pups' – young plants from runners. "Agave vilmoriniana" (the octopus agave) produces hundreds of pups on its bloom stalk. Agave leaves store the plant's water and are crucial to its continued existence. The coated leaf surface prevents evaporation. The leaves also have sharp, spiked edges. The spikes discourage predators from eating the plant or using it as a source of water and are so tough that ancient peoples used them for sewing needles. The sap is acidic. Some agaves bloom at a height up to