A rare Mexican plant which flowers once in its lifetime has blossomed, smashing a glasshouse roof in the process.Scientists at Bangor University waited 28 years to see the century plant, from which tequila can be made, bloom.
A curator, who had planted the seed as a student in 1979, has spoken of his "shock" when he discovered it had sprouted a 1.6m (5ft) flower stalk.
He compared the plant, now 6.2m (20ft) tall, to "some monstrous creation from the Little Shop of Horrors".
Nigel Brown recalled how he had planted a small specimen of agave americana (its official name) on a cactus mound 28 years ago.
He said: "It has grown steadily to dominate the south-eastern corner of the display, its crown of rather untidy but impressive succulent leaves spewing out across the gravel like some monstrous creation from the Little Shop of Horrors."
but can you roll it up and smoke it?
ReplyDeleteOr does it do any other good in the world?
28 years to watch it bloom?? It better be smokeable!