Cycle of Life

These Century Plants (Agave parryi ssp. parryi) at Leasburg Dam State Park illustrate an interesting cycle of life. The plant in the foreground towers about 20 feet, near the maximum growth range, while the plant behind it has died and since fallen over. These plants can take literally decades to develop and produce a blossom. Under ideal conditions, it could take as long as 15 years. After flowering, the entire plant, right down to the rosette, dies. However, suckers are often produced at the stem base and become new plants. Photo taken 6/9/07.