For its final act, a towering century plant stretches to the sky
by: Lorne Chambers | Editor
Not far from the community garden on the West Side of Folly Beach, a natural phenomenon is taking place. A large century plant (Agave Americana) has begun its much-anticipated and inevitable climb skyward before its long life comes to a dramatic end. Although it is an agave plant, it differs from the blue agave from which tequila is made. The century plant is a monocarpic plant, meaning that it blooms only once in its lifetime, typically after a decade or two or three.
During this long process, the flower stalk can shoot up to impressive heights. The one located in front of the condos at 82 Sandbar Lane has been in the throes of this process for several months. According to neighbors, this particular plant has been around for 30-40 years.
Stephanie Herron, who has lived in the condo closest to the plant for the last three years, says it’s been shooting upward for 6-7 months and just recently shed its dense clusters of yellow-green blooms.
“An agave plant life cycle is comparable to the human experience,” says Herron, who sees the plant’s astonishing swan song as something we should aspire to. “Ideally, we should strive to sprint to the finish with death being a beautiful climax.”
