A RARE SIGHT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!
Commonly called"Century Plant" Agava Americana is
in full bloom on our island, about two blocks from my
house. It is a spectacle to behold and autos are constantly stopping to photograph this giant figure. I have stopped several times, sometimes for photos, sometimes just to look. This plant blooms only once in it's lifetime. It dies having expended so much energy
to produce the bloom there is no energy left to support the host plant.
Once the flowering begins the stalk grows at 5 to 6 inches a day. It can reach heights of up to 40 feet. I am not a good judge of height but as you can tell this is extremely tall.
The blooms resemble cauliflower and range from yellow to green. The name "Century Plant" is a misnomer for it can bloom after 10 to 15 years with the right environment. This section of the neighborhood has been established about 15 years but I am not sure how long the plant has been there. These plants are common in Savannah landscapes. I am not sure how often they bloom around town but on rare occasions a blooming plant will be featured in the newspaper.
You can see it's height compared to the auto. There are also lots of baby plants around the base. Maybe in 15 years we will see another blossom!
The Mexicans have a unique use for this plant, they remove the flower-stalk immediately.
The plant pours its banked energy into the place where the flower-stalk ought to be, produces a basin of sweet sap from which Mexicans make their national drink, syrupy pulque. By distilling fermented pulque they make mescal, a potent liquor. By letting the flower stalk grow, drying and slicing the firm pith, they get natural razor strops, insulating material.
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,746038,00.html#ixzz1PmtauO9G
I hope your enjoyed your visit. Please leave a comment so I know that you were here.
I am linking to these gracious hostesses:
The Mexicans have a unique use for this plant, they remove the flower-stalk immediately.
The plant pours its banked energy into the place where the flower-stalk ought to be, produces a basin of sweet sap from which Mexicans make their national drink, syrupy pulque. By distilling fermented pulque they make mescal, a potent liquor. By letting the flower stalk grow, drying and slicing the firm pith, they get natural razor strops, insulating material.
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,746038,00.html#ixzz1PmtauO9G
I love my home!
Our natural habitat is amazing!
I hope your enjoyed your visit. Please leave a comment so I know that you were here.
I am linking to these gracious hostesses:
Metamorphosis Monday-BNOTP
Brag Monday-The Graphics Fairy
Masterpiece Monday-Boogieboard Cottage
Amaze Me Monday-Dittle Dattle
Toot Your Horn Tuesday-A Silly Little Sparrow
Bloomin' Tuesday-Ms Green Thumb Jean
Outdoor Wednesday-A Southern Daydreamer
Wow Us Wednesday-Savvy Southern Style