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Posted 30 November 2003 - 09:01 PM
Hello Ian,
I hope you can help with my question. I live on the Big Island of Hawaii, and we have growing wild all over, these large succulent plants that send up huge shoots with yellow flowers at the top. Once the stalk reaches its maximum height and can no longer support its weight (ours just touched the utility wires) it falls over and the whole plant dies. Is this an agave, the same one used to make tequilla? Some friends have told us that it is. Others have said it is a century plant. It looks a little like the photos you have on the website, except ours are a bright green color. They do seem to have thousands of seeds, and are quite obnoxious once they send up a stalk. We were just wondering. Thank you if you know. Kris
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#2
- Transcendent Agave Master
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Posted 30 November 2003 - 09:24 PM
A Century Plant is similar but not quite the same. Also, there are other agave tipes, but not the ones for making tequila. The Blue Weber Agave. The lady next door to me has a few Century Plant growing around her house. I guess that way she doesn't have to worry about strangers peeking through the windows. Ouch, that could hurt!
"One day I realized that sadness is just another word for not enough coffee." - Wally
Bebedor
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Posted 01 December 2003 - 06:15 PM
There are a lot of different Agave plants. Over 300, I think.
I believe that it is Agave Americana that is traditonally called the Century Plant. The myth is that it takes 100 years for the seed spike to come out and then the plant dies. Obviously it is much less time 15-30 years.
I think that there is a lot of confusion on Century Plants too where other types of Agave are lumped together as Century Plants but are not. Many of the Agaves are "monocarpic" which means they only bloom once in their life. Other Agaves bloom more often.
When I lived in Arizona we had "Century Plants" of all sizes and shapes and I am quite sure that most of them were mis-labeled.
I believe that it is Agave Americana that is traditonally called the Century Plant. The myth is that it takes 100 years for the seed spike to come out and then the plant dies. Obviously it is much less time 15-30 years.
I think that there is a lot of confusion on Century Plants too where other types of Agave are lumped together as Century Plants but are not. Many of the Agaves are "monocarpic" which means they only bloom once in their life. Other Agaves bloom more often.
When I lived in Arizona we had "Century Plants" of all sizes and shapes and I am quite sure that most of them were mis-labeled.
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Posted 02 December 2003 - 07:11 AM
Reifer's correct: it is an agave. The name "century plant" is used for serveral species because of its once-in-a-lifetime flower stalk (the quiote). After which, the plant dies.
As far as I know, none of the century-plant agaves are used for making any spirits, although I don't see why they couldn't be used. There are several agaves used to make mezcal.
Ian
As far as I know, none of the century-plant agaves are used for making any spirits, although I don't see why they couldn't be used. There are several agaves used to make mezcal.
Ian
Ian Chadwick
The life so short, the craft so long to learn...
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The life so short, the craft so long to learn...
Chaucer, The Parliament of Fowles
Tequila ● Ukulele reviews ● Harmonicas ● Henry Hudson ● Blog ● Home
#6
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Posted 02 December 2003 - 05:25 PM
The century plants that grow next door would not make much agua miel. The heart or corazón is not very big. It's just a few inches in diameter.
"One day I realized that sadness is just another word for not enough coffee." - Wally
Bebedor
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#7 Guest_Kris_Guest
Posted 02 December 2003 - 07:20 PM
Interesting discussion and thanks to all for your friendly replies. These century plants that we have in Hawaii seem to bloom quite often and are seen by many as a most noxious weed to have around. Maybe there is something about the climate here that makes them grow and bloom so much. After it spiked, I kind of hoped ours would die, but alas it seems to have come to life with a thousand little babies, both attached to the cut stalk (which is rather like a small TREE!) and the interior stump (not sure of its name) of the dying mother plant.
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