Look
The centerpiece of the Desert House was an agave that was in full...
Sprouting Tall
...bloom.
Agave tends to grow steadily, and when it matures, a large stalk grows from the center.
Single Stalk
In this case, the stalk kept growing and the Conservatory had to open up the upper glass to give the agave some space.
Through the Roof
From that single stalk, shoots spread out and flowers grow. Bats pollinate the agave in its native habitat.
Flowering
Cropping Tighter
Here, it's a Conservatory wonder. If you get a chance to see a agave in full bloom, it's stunning partly due to the fact that it's an once in a lifetime event. The plant expends so much energy in producing the stalk and flowers that shortly afterwards, it dies. Though for an agave of this size, the Conservatory staff mentioned that it could be flowering for at least six months--seems like a fitting close.
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