Once in a Century (Anegada)

I was introduced to the Century Plant many sailing trips ago, which is easy to spot by its enormous aloe-like leaves and large yellow blooms that shoot taller than most surrounding trees. I was told that the plant blooms once every 100 years, hence the name. Fascinated, I had to confirm this factoid. While it is true that Century Plants bloom only once in their lifespan, it actually lives only an average of 25 years (shouldn’t it be called a Quarter-of-a-century plant, then?) Apparently, the flower spike can grow at the incredible rate of 5–6 inches per day. Because the blooming process is so quick, it depletes the plant of all its other resources, and it dies after this one-time bloom. No wonder this plant is in the agave family. The plant lives up to its name. (Greek origin: agavos, meaning noble or admirable)