What is "istle"

Ixtle \Ix"tle\, Ixtli \Ix"tli\([i^]x"tl[-e]), n. 1. (Bot.) A Mexican name for a variety of Agave rigida, which furnishes a strong coarse fiber; also, the fiber itself, which is called also pita, and Tampico fiber.

n. (alternative form of ixtle English)

Istle (also spelt ixtle) or tampico fiber is the general name for a hard plant fiber obtained from a number of Mexican plants, chiefly species of Agave and Yucca. Istle or ixtle is also used as the common name (or part of the common name) of the plants producing the fiber. Ixtle is also the common name of a species of bromeliad, Aechmea magdalenae, grown in southern Mexico for its silky fibers.

Istle fiber is used as a substitute for animal bristles in the manufacture of brushes and also for making cords and ropes. Particular kinds of istle include:

• Jaumave istle, produced from Agave funkiana ( syn. A. lophantha), is said to be the best grade. The name comes from the Jaumave Valley in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, where it is grown. The fiber is obtained from the young inner leaves that form the central bud. Jaumave istle fibre is usually long, almost white, and almost as strong and flexible as sisal, produced from Agave sisaliana.
• Tula istle is produced from Agave lechuguilla or Agave univittata. The name is derived from the town of Tula, also in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The fiber is also obtained from the inner leaves, and is long and almost white.
• Palma istle is produced from the young leaves of species of Yucca, known as palmas in Spanish. The main species used is Yucca carnerosana (syn. Samuela carnerosana), although Yucca treculeana is also used. The fiber is more difficult to extract from yuccas than from agaves, requiring the leaves to be steamed first for two to four hours. Individual fibers are long, yellow, and usually coarser and stiffer than sisal. The fiber is described as "somewhat gummy".