A Fallen Century Plant Observed On This Morning’s Walk In Tanuri Ridge — Image by kenne
The century plant, Agave americana, is monocarpic, meaning it will bloom once in its lifetime.
However, it doesn’t bloom in a hundred years but may not appear for 10, 20, or more years, depending on the climate.
Most species in the genus Agave flower just once, although there are a few that are repeat bloomers.
Neighborhood Agave — Images by kenne
On April 27th I was so impressed with the size of an agave stalk, I took a photo of it and posted on this blog. Over the last month I have continue to watch it grow as it neared blossoming. During this time I noticed that stalk was beginning to lean south, so much so I began to think it might break. It didn’t break, but its weight and angle to the ground finally pulled the plant out of the ground.
This agave is commonly called a “century plant,” because when it flowers by sending up a stalk (spike), which it does only once, it dies. Its age is more accurately 25-30 years, not 100 years. If not by its own weight, this agave was doomed either way.
kenne
This Agave Stalk Has Grown Over Twelve Feet Since Thanksgiving.
The Power of Tequila! — Image by kenne
Agave [Cactus]
by Carol Hamilton
This poem can be found in the book, AGAVE —
“If you like tequila,
you will love the art,
songs, poems, stories,
and recipes in
AGAVE.”
Since moving to Tucson and becoming a Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalist, I know agaves are not cacti, and I live in the Sonoran Desert, not the Sonora Desert. However, since poets like to take poetic license, I will give Carol a pass on this one.
kenne
