Sunday, April 27, 2014

THE MIGHTY CENTURY PLANT

It begins with a cluster of tough leaves.


The flower stalk that rises from the center of the cluster heads for the sky.



It is said the stalk can rise as high as 26 feet.




As it  rises, blooms form near the top.





The plant whose scientific name is Agave Americana has been nicknamed the Century plant because it blooms only once in its 10 to 30 year life and then dies.  But shoots from the base prolong the life of this majestic plant.

These are not yet in full bloom.  I will try to get a picture when they are.

Meantime, this one plant . . not yet blooming . . seems already to be waving goodbye.


9 comments:

Phil Perisich said...

The blooming should be a spectacular show. It reminds me of a salmon, blooms once than dies.

Tom Cochrun said...

Great images. An amazing botanical show.

stephen Hayes said...

Years ago i wrote a children's book called The Century Plant. It was about a little girl who waited her whole life for the plant to bloom. I sent it to an editor who informed me it was the worst children's book he'd ever read.

lowandslow said...

Anything that can survive the AZ hot/arid climate must be one tough plant. Looking forward to watching it fully bloom.

Steve said...

Good post and nice photos.

Lucy said...

An amazing piece of vegetal architecture.

Can't get over how horrible Stephen's editor was! :~0

Sharon said...

I love these shots of the growth progress!

Kathe W. said...

Amazing!!!!

SisterNChrist said...

Looks….. prehistoric?! The sheer size of the bloom prompted me to chuckle audibly. Grateful for this glimpse. Thank YOU for sharing!