Family: Asparagaceae (Asparagus family). It has, at times, been included in the lily family and the agave family.
Native of southern North America.
Occurrence: Occasional weed, usually as a garden escape.
Identification:
- it has a basal rosette of large (2 metre) fleshy leaves
- the flowers are yellow
- the flower stalks are up to 10 metres high.
The plant does not flower until 10 years or more old. The name "Century Plant" refers to the long time to reach flowering. After flowering the plant dies. The fleshy, grass-like leaves and the tall flower spikes make this a distinctive plant. The dense growth displaces native vegetation.
Name. Agave: from the Greek aganos: noble.
Photos:
Right: Large patch of Century Plant. Langville.
Below 2, 3: Axedale cemetery. 4: Century Plant, Farnsworth Street nature strip, Castlemaine.
