What is this plant?

 


Recently in my area this plant has begun to look like it will flower,
which it
hasn't done in at least 10 years, so I would like to know what
it is and if it
has a chance of flowering in the UK (South West)

Thanks.


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steve2008

 



That is one of a few species of Agave commonly known as century plant.

 

Amos Nomore wrote:

Yep.  The main plant will die after flowering but there is likely to be pups
around the base that will survive.  If it has got that far it will likely
continue, it will probably not be long before the flowers open although they
may not be very interesting.

David

 

steve2008 wrote:

It's a Century Plant, agave, probably Agave Americana.  I've seen them
in tropical, humid climates.


Wikipedia says:

 >It has a spreading rosette (about 4 m/13 ft wide) of gray-green leaves
 >up to 2 m (6.6 ft) long, each with a spiny margin and a heavy spike at
 >the tip that can pierce to the bone. Its common name derives from its
 >habit of only occasionally flowering, but when it does, the spike with
 >a cyme of big yellow flowers may reach up to 8 m (26 ft) in height.
The >plant dies after flowering, but produces suckers or adventitious
shoots >from the base, which continue its growth. The average lifespan
is >around 10 years.

gloria p