Archive for the ‘Agave’ Tag
Agave Plant — Image by kenne
“Nearly all agaves, along with most bromeliads such as pineapple, are somewhat peculiar in their flowering habit.
They grow vegetatively for many years (though not the hundred years that gave rise to the common name of
century plant) without producing a single flower, and then when they get the urge to reproduce, they send
forth an enormous stalk with hundreds and hundreds of them. These plants that flower and set seed only once
in their lives are called monocarpic.” — Source: Succulent Gardens
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Neighborhood Agave Flowering for the First and Last Time — Image by kenne
The agave is considered perennial, because they require several to many years to mature and flower.
However, most Agave species flowers only once and then dies.
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Blooming Century Plant (Agave) — Computer Painting by kenne
Agave Cactus
You don’t squeeze tequila
from a pumped up, rubbery leaf.
Nothing is easy in Mexico,
and everything takes time,
patience, muscle. Hacking
and digging and hacking
and a deep pit and fire
and time and time and time.
I lose time, forget it at
the other end of the tequila,
but left to me, that cactus
would still be standing there
on the Sonora Desert undisturbed.
— Carol Hamilton
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Blooming Century Plant (Agave) — Computer Painting by kenne
Sonoran Monsoon Season
The monsoon season is here.
Triple digit temperatures,
with cool mornings and
daylight at 5:00 a.m. —
perfect for a morning run,
as the sun rises casting
long shadows and silhouettes
of white-winged doves atop
the giant saguaro cactus.
Many years ago we
took a risk on love,
then seven years ago
we took a risk on life and
moved to the Sonora Desert.
Many thought we were crazy,
maybe we were at the time,
after all, what is life
without some risk.
Seven years of desert monsoons
have brought us closer to nature,
now more connected to life
we appreciate each day
and the opportunities
to continue taking risks,
increasing our capacity
to live life in unsuspected and
unpredictable ways.
— kenne
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Agave Squeeze: Life In A Split-Rock Crack (February 20, 2015) — Image by kenne
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Agave blooms on the north side of the Santa Catalina Mountains with Biosphere 2 in the distance.
— Image by kenne
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“Happen Again” — Image by kenne
now that the picture has been taken,
photoshopped another image,
as thorns touch her lips,
as the sun moves across her shadows,
it will happen again, and happen again,
as the shadow falls again, and falls again,
it will happen again.
does it matter,
now that the picture has been taken,
as my desire to kiss her lips,
as the pain becomes a feel good hurt,
does it matter, does it really matter,
it will happen again, and happen again,
this drifting of the mind.
— kenne
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This Agave Stalk Has Grown Over Twelve Feet Since Thanksgiving.
The Power of Tequila! — Image by kenne
Agave [Cactus]
by Carol Hamilton
You don’t squeeze tequila
from a pumped up, rubbery leaf.
Nothing is easy in Mexico,
and everything takes time,
patience, muscle. Hacking
and digging and hacking
and a deep pit and fire
and time and time and time.
I lose time, forget it at
the other end of the tequila,
but left to me, that cactus
would still be standing there
on the [Sonora] Desert
undisturbed.
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
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Images by kenne
Ah, beautiful agave
under Mexican skies,
soul of future mystical visions,
spirit nectar of Jose Cuervo —
that first tequila night
kissed with a little salt and lime
together we had a good time
staring at the velvet nude
above the tequila bottles
in a dusty border bar.
— kenne
Source: Agave — A Celebration of Tequila in story, song, poetry, essay and graphic art
— edited by Ashley and Nathan Brown
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The Agave Century Plant Blossoms Near The Prison Fire In The Santa Catalina Mountains As Record Heat Continues In The American Southwest
— Images by kenne
32.270209
-110.860703
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Trail Rock Guarded By Shin Diggers (agave lechugilla) — Image by kenne
This small agave can make a lasting impression if you run up against them, therefore the name “shin digger.” Here it seems to be providing this rock, security. In thick ground cover, the spins can be crippling to a hiker or horse.
kenne
32.270209
-110.860703
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Agave Cactus Plant — Image by kenne
Agave plant at the early stages of its flowering stalk looks like a giant asparagus — also called a Century plant because of the popular belief they live for a century before flowering. The stalk can reach as high as 25′.
For a lot of us, when we hear the word agave cactus, we think… “Tequila!” “Margarita!” Or, that first tequila night!
When there is talk of tequila, it is natural to share stories — where to get the best margarita; tequila sour; your favorite tequila; worm stories; poetry, yes, poetry!
My friend, poet Dave Parsons introduced me to the book, “Agave — A Celebration of Tequila in Story, Song, Poetry, Essay and Graphic Art.” This is a must read for those who like tequila. Here’s one of the poems:
Redbird, Tequila and Me
by Cindy Jordan
Tequila
The word makes people smile
Why?
Tequila means freedom from our mind
“Take another shot of courage”
“Tequila makes your clothes fall off”
Like a toddler who rips off her diaper and runs through the sprinkler
Joyful!
Laughing with glee!
As the Divine watches through her eyes
See the world as a little child
You will see the Kingdom of Heaven
I have a friend with flaming red hair that looks like fire in the sun
I call my friend “Redbird”
Redbird and I were at a party
The hot tub looked so inviting
We didn’t have swim suits
No problem… We had tequila!
The water was warm
Our breasts floated in the bubbles
Redbird and I were laughing with glee!
Joyful!
Like a toddler running through the sprinkler
Freedom!
Both of us grandmothers
I guess we forgot
Redbird and I were out of our minds
Joyful freedom!
This is good for the soul
A Divine witness watched through our eyes
A wonderful memory
Will we do it again?
Probably not
Yes tequila gives you courage
Yes tequila makes your cloths fall off
Now when Redbird say the word, tequila
We giggle
A lot!
kenne
32.270209
-110.860703
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“Century Plant” (Agave) In The Santa Catalinas (View North Below Mt. Lemmon) — Image by kenne
A century plant
Plants future generation
Survival in draught
kenne
- The Stalk (onelookout.com)
32.270209
-110.860703
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Images by kenne
In our recent hike on the Oracle Trail on Mt. Lemmon, we noticed a lot of agaves in bloom. Although the bloom is beautiful, the agave blooms only once, then dies. The timing of our hike may not have been good for most wildflowers, however it was perfect for observing these brilliant red blooms and capturing their moment. (Click on a gallery photo to see enlarged view.)
kenne
32.270209
-110.860703
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Becoming is Superior to Being 