One of the oldest Agave Americana plants is soon departing this life. Leaving its home at the Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, to say goodbye, the Agave Americana has risen for one final show. The Agave Americana at the university is finally showing off before it is no longer.
Blooming Stalk Signals End of Life for Plant
A couple of weeks ago, some of the students at the University discovered the plant had a stalk, a tell tale sign of its demise. Sprouting like something out of the Jack and the Beanstalk fairytale, this particular stalk grew immensely and to such size that the roof of the greenhouse where it occupied, had to be removed. At twenty-five feet, the Agave Americana has risen and was branching flowers. People were worried it would have shot through the roof if something wasn’t done about it. The stalk is just a reminder that this precious plant is soon departing.
This agave plant is a native of Mexico and is used for the production of tequila. The Agave Americana has risen to a rather large “shrub.” It varies in color from a light blue-green to a green and white plant. It’s leaves sometimes contain sharp edges that stick up, reaching for the sky, as others droop down around the base of the plant. There is built up sugar within the leaves that is fermented and used for the alcoholic beverage, tequila. The plant is also used for other things such as threads are made from the fibers of the leaves. The ends of the leaves, which have a sharp point, can be used as needles for sewing, as well.
New Shoots Will Continue the Legacy
The good news is the Agave Americana has risen and will rise again. In its demise, it leaves behind new plants from its base that will take its place and grow. The rise and fall of the Agave Americana is due to pollination caused by nothing other than moths and bats.
The glory of this plant is within its blooming process. A last hurrah before it departs. Only once does the Agave Americana bloom and immediately after it is no more. It spurts life in the form of beautiful flowers right before death.
The Agave Americana, also known as Truman’s agave plant, has been at the University for over fifty years, but it is uncertain how the plant originated there. It is obvious that someone had to have placed it in the greenhouse of the university, but it remains a mystery as to who that person was. The Agave Americana has risen and it is certain that the plant will rise again through its offspring.
