ABSTRACT
The 20 genera and over 600 species in this family of monocotyledons were formerly included in either the Liliaceae or the Amaryllidaceae. The species are large, often arborescent and woody; they include the following important fiber crop plants:
Agave fourcroydes Lemaire — Henequen
Agave sisalana Perrine — Sisal
Other Agave spp. and Sansevieria spp. (bowstring hemp) produce a variety of minor fibers
