Century Plant

A few years ago, our local newspaper published an interesting article on a locally blooming Century Plant. The Saint and I found the article so interesting that we had to drive by and check it out. Of course, with such a rarity, I had my camera with me.

Even though this plant appears to be a Cactus, Wikipedia tells me it is a Agave which are closely related to the Iris and Amaryllis families. The Yucca plant is also a Agave.

I find it difficult to believe they are not in the Cactus family because they appear so similar to them. The base is clumped with long leaves that end in a point. Each long leaf contain spines along the edge. I can recall my grandmother having a similar plant in a pot in the kitchen window. We called it a cactus but I wonder if it was a small Century Plant?

The Century Plant only blooms once in its
lifespan. The blooms consist of clumps of yellow tubular flowers. The bloom stalk shoots way up high into the sky at such a fast rate, that it uses all the plants energy. The plant then dies.

The long stalk stands up as if a ships mast standing tall into the sky. I cannot help but think of the Fairy Tale, Jack and the Bean Stalk! Hum, I wonder if a Century Plant was the writers inspiration?

Legend says it takes 100 years for one to bloom, hence the name Century Plant. In reality, the plant only has a life span of about 25 years. As a gardener, waiting 25 years for a plant to bloom can seem like a Century!

Even though this plant dies once bloomed, suckers produced at the base of the stalk form new plants.



This Century Plant is located on one of the routes we travel to town so we see it often. These pictures were snapped on June 30, 2005 but to this day, the dead stalk is still standing tall.

As you can see, this yard contains more then one Century Plant.

I have since, spotted Century Plants in other yards in the older section of town. I wonder if they were at one time, the "IN" plant for the town...

Note:
Longwood Gardens in PA. (Click here) Century Plant 2007 - Longwood Gardens documented a great series of pictures of a Century Plant blooming in their garden. It is amazing how fast the stalk grew! It is worth viewing.

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**I posted a topic with "Pet People" about the progress of our Bluebird family. If anyone is interested, Click on this sight below and then click the topic title "I am a new Mommy" (beside) Skeeterkitty... Yes, I am a Tuxedo Cat!
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=BLOGS02&groupid=Blog:d67b4443-aac7-4d3b-bc0f-8255cf55bb0e
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