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Nature & Environment

Flower blooms once in 40 years

By T.K. Randall
March 19, 2012 · Comment icon 9 comments

Image Credit: CC 3.0 C T Johansson
The Agave franzosinii takes four decades to produce a flower and then dies shortly afterwards.
Staff at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew were intrigued when a specimen in one of their greenhouses suddenly started to grow exponentially after maintaining the same height for years. The plant grew so tall in such a small space of time that part of the roof had to be removed to accomodate it. "Once it started, you could see it growing daily," said Lara Jewitt. "This is the biggest one I have ever seen flowering, and also the longest period taken to flower." All too soon though the plant wilted, but not before its seeds had been collected and planted in the hope of usherering forth a new generation expected to flower in another 40 years time.
The growth spurt was such that the plant outgrew its west London conservatory, forcing staff to remove parts of the roof to allow its progress to continue. When it did finally bloom, most of the 3in yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers were outside the building.


Source: Telegraph | Comments (9)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #1 Posted by Eldorado 12 years ago
Same thing happened to me!
Comment icon #2 Posted by Mistydawn 12 years ago
Bit disappointed it's green, like the rest of the plant....
Comment icon #3 Posted by Timonthy 12 years ago
Bit disappointed it's green, like the rest of the plant.... That's what I was thinking! Sh!t flower...
Comment icon #4 Posted by zenfahr 12 years ago
they make great dijeridos, but cutting them down is a pain... they have this sap that stings when it hits skin and is hard to get off.
Comment icon #5 Posted by Jack_of_Blades 12 years ago
Meh.... not worth it. I'll stick to my lilies and moon-flowers, thanks.
Comment icon #6 Posted by puckmomma 12 years ago
I wouldn't want that in my garden no way! Not growing taller for years... knowing my luck i would mow it over not really thinking!
Comment icon #7 Posted by highdesert50 12 years ago
The desert alternative to the fir tree -- the shorter century plant stalks, when dried, can be cut, decorated, and used as Christmas trees.
Comment icon #8 Posted by xCrimsonx 12 years ago
1332167116[/url]' post='4237333']they make great dijeridos, but cutting them down is a pain... they have this sap that stings when it hits skin and is hard to get off. Didgeridoo!!!! I was looking for pinks, red, or maybe yellow! It's a flipping tree!
Comment icon #9 Posted by Cherry- 12 years ago
disapointed


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