Friday 16 January 2009

Skywatch: Agave Americana

Isn't it odd that there are so many living things that once they've born fruit, turn their toes up and die and doesn't that fact make you feel happy you're a human being and we don't normally do that?
The agave puts up its flower, this spike you see here and then dies. Having said that, it does take a long time to grow the flower; it's called the century plant in some places because of the time it takes to store up the nourishment needed to push out that flower spike.
The agave was introduced into Europe in the 16th century as an ornamental plant perhaps at a time when gardens were bigger as a fully grown agave can be pretty big. They do well in dry soils like we have here and you can often see the flowers silhouetted against the sky or the blue of the Mediterranean. If you'd like to know more about the agave you can check it out here.

To see some glorious sky images pop over to the Skywatch site.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Its a beauty.

Olivier said...

merci pour le cours, je ne connaissais pas. Je trouve que cela te fait un bon contre jour et l'arbre en ombre chinoise est tres beau

Niina said...

Nice photo! =)

Barb said...

I'm not usually crazy about succulents, but this slower spike does look like a rather cool tree!

vincibene said...

Beautiful picture!

FO - 2 said...

Cool shot. ;)))

Bhavesh Chhatbar said...

Another beautiful photograph by the expert you. The silhouette looks very nice.

Sad about the plant's life cycle, but few species do have some meaning and goal for their life unlike humans :)

Anonymous said...

So blue the sky behind the agave. It reminds me to Summer time and to transcience of everything.
Have a nice weekend!

Catherine said...

What a wonderful deep blue sky! It can't be more "Provençal".
This agave gives a little something of Japanese.

Dot O said...

Very stunning photo. It's amazing when we capture such amazing photos in the off-season. I guess spring isn't the only time of year to experience the beauty of nature.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

alicesg said...

Very beautiful photo for SWF. Thanks for dropping by my blog. Have a nice weekend.

The Good Life in Virginia said...

interesting post and photo.
thanks for sharing with us.
have a wonderful weeked.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your visit. That's a really neat photo of the plant, and nice to have all the info, too. Great SWF!!

Quiet Paths said...

Very interesting post; thanks for the history and nature lesson. A lovely shot too.

Virginia said...

lovely silhouette against the bluel sky!
V

Walker said...

Amazing sky color with the lovely tree.

Maria said...

Thanks for your visit! The agave is so beautiful against the blue sky. And what an interesting story!
BTW, our snow in Vienna is already melting away...

Jilly said...

Nice shot. I've got several of these in my garden and hope they outlive me as apparently getting them out, once they die isn't easy.

Anonymous said...

Very cool shot, my sister lives in San Diego, CA and has one blooming right now...weird plant:)

Indrani said...

Very informative post, I had read about this and glad I could see it here.
You have presented it well for the sky watch meme.

dianasfaria.com said...

lovely skywatch silhouette & interesting post too!

humanobserver said...

Amazing composition...

Dsole said...

Hi Angela!
It's Dsole from Madrid! It's been a long time... I'm glad to see you around again :)
This pic is gorgeous! Have a nice weekened!!

Unknown said...

We also have them here by the thousands, three different species at least, especially along the coast. There are some photos on my older posts. Amazing plants!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Neither the blue sky or the plant here. Far too gorgeous.