80-Year-Old Agave Plant Nearly Ready to Bloom for First, Last Time

Photo: USA TodayPhoto: USA Today

Through every season, it takes time for flowers to mature and bloom, but one Agave plant at the University of Michigan is taking a little bit longer than one season to bloom.

In fact, the flower has taken 80 years to bloom for one time.

The flower has grown so tall, it now sticks out of the roof at the conservatory at the school’s botanical garden, according to USA Today.

Reaching more than 25 feet tall, the plant has 18 peduncies, or branch-like structures, that produce an abundance of flower buds.

When the buds open, the flowers will be a yellowish-green color.

Mike Palmer, horticulture manager for the gardens and Nichols Arboretum, told USA Today one branch has more than 150 buds.

As onlookers wait for the flower to open, Palmer says the plant will die after it flowers, leaving behind potential thousands of seeds that will look like mini versions of the plant.

 

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