Still Waters Posted July 9, 2019 #1 Share Posted July 9, 2019 A giant "tequila plant" is set to flower for the first - and only - time after more than half a century. The flower spike appeared a month ago at Cambridge University Botanic Garden and is now three metres (10ft) tall. Staff have been tending the agave, part of a family of plants from which tequila is made, since 1962 but cannot confirm its species until it flowers. They will soon have to remove the roof of the glasshouse as it continues to grow, but once it flowers, it will die. Experts at the garden were delighted when the plant's spike began to grow, indicating it will finally bloom. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-48866289 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Desertrat56 Posted July 9, 2019 #2 Share Posted July 9, 2019 Why is the word "mystery" in the headline. Agave are no mystery. I have one in my yard. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orphalesion Posted July 9, 2019 #3 Share Posted July 9, 2019 1 minute ago, Desertrat56 said: Why is the word "mystery" in the headline. Agave are no mystery. I have one in my yard. I think it's because they aren't sure what species of agave it is until it flowers? Not much of a mystery, but well... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Desertrat56 Posted July 9, 2019 #4 Share Posted July 9, 2019 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Orphalesion said: I think it's because they aren't sure what species of agave it is until it flowers? Not much of a mystery, but well... No, that doesn't make sense as the leaves are different for different varieties. They are botanists, right? I think the mystery is the reporter's word to get people to click on the story. Edited July 9, 2019 by Desertrat56 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orphalesion Posted July 9, 2019 #5 Share Posted July 9, 2019 25 minutes ago, Desertrat56 said: No, that doesn't make sense as the leaves are different for different varieties. They are botanists, right? I think the mystery is the reporter's word to get people to click on the story. Well the article says they don't know which species it is: Quote Although staff believe it might be the species Agave heteracantha, they cannot be sure until they see what sort of flower it finally produces But yeah I agree that mystery is an unnecessary buzzword for that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still Waters Posted July 9, 2019 Author #6 Share Posted July 9, 2019 45 minutes ago, Desertrat56 said: No, that doesn't make sense as the leaves are different for different varieties. They are botanists, right? I think the mystery is the reporter's word to get people to click on the story. Direct from the botanists website: Quote Our Assistant Curator is waiting for it to flower to verify which species of Agave it is – we believe it may be Agave heteracantha but we can’t be certain until it flowers. https://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/agave-flowering-at-cambridge-university-botanic-garden-july-2019/ 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XenoFish Posted July 9, 2019 #7 Share Posted July 9, 2019 Tequila plant to flower after 57 years. That's one hell of a hangover. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robotic Jew Posted July 10, 2019 #8 Share Posted July 10, 2019 mmmm...tequila.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldorado Posted September 15, 2019 #9 Share Posted September 15, 2019 "A giant plant dubbed an "asparagus on steroids" has flowered for the first - and only - time after keeping gardeners waiting for more than half a century. "The agave flower spike appeared in June at Cambridge University Botanic Garden and grew to 4.5m (14.5ft), almost hitting the glasshouse roof. "Staff were not sure of the species, but believed it was an Agave vivipara." Full report at the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-49648859 And at Cambridgeshire Live: https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/cambridge-botanic-gardens-flower-tequila-16900318 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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