It’s the time of year when century plants bloom, sending their asparagus-like stalks up into the sky, flowering and then dying.
For most of their lives, the plants are visible as a pointed cluster of twisted bluish-green leaves. They can live for more than 30 years before maturing enough to bloom.
“When it blooms, the whole plant dies,” said Alexis Monroe, whose Century plant is blooming this year in front of her house in Mary Esther. “It looks like it’s been microwaved.”
The stalk on her plant grew so tall she had to help support its weight with a rope tied to the eaves of her house.
The plant’s official name is agave americana, but is commonly known by its misleading moniker. The plants do not live 100 years, although they wait at least 10 years to bloom.
Monroe estimated that her plant was in its mid-20s.
When the plants bloom, they send out smaller plants that can take root nearby.
Although its leaves resemble those of an aloe plant, the two are not related, according to Larry Williams, Okaloosa County extension director and horticulture agent.
“It’s one of those plants people either really like or really don’t like,” he said. “It’s different enough that people think it’s unique and they want one.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Wendy Victora at 850-315-4478 or wvictora@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @WendyVnwfdn.
