Henequen, << HEHN uh kihn, >> is a yellow fiber made from leaves of the henequen plant. The plant is native to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and is related to the century plant. Its shiny-tipped leaves grow from a trunk and are sometimes 71/2 feet (2.3 meters) long and 4 inches (10 centimeters) wide. Bundles of tough fibers run through the leaves. Machines separate the henequen fibers from the softer portions. The fibers are then dried. Henequen fibers are rough and stiff and are used to make twine.
