We had been to Mango Range Estate for a weekend sojourn. (Please this post for details :- Monsoon Experience at Mango Range Estate, Nilgiris). The monsoon was in full swing and we took our regular route via Kanakapura. On the way back, as soon as we crossed Gundlupet in South India, we saw a strange landscape.
It looked like a scene from Avatar or Star Wars!
I went near to see what exactly they were. To my surprise, it was the "Katthale" or "Bhutale" (in Kannada) bush - a variety of Agave - whose leaves were cut by the farmers leaving only the cone behind. This bush being thorny is used by farmers as a hedge in many parts of Karnataka. The leaves are dried and fibre is used for household use.
A bit of research on Agave ( Wiki on Agave) gave me the information that it is an useful plant with many parts edible and plant having medicinal properties as well. Not sure whether it is used as an edible plant in Karnataka.
Will check that out with framers next time around!