Akeru: The Century Plant

Century plant is the name of a group of desert plants that belong to the agave family. It is also called agave. The name century plant came from the mistaken idea that the American centuray plant blooms only once in 100 years. Some century plants flower many times, and others bloom only once and then die. But none blooms so rarely as once in 100 years.

The American century plant has thick, fleshy leaves with sharp-spined edges. The white or greenish flowers grow in an open cluster on the upper portion of the stalk. The leaves die after the plant has bloomed. The roots remain alive and produce a new plant. The American century plant is also known as the American aloe.

The people of Mexico use the sap of certain agaves to make beverages, such as pulque, tequila, and mescal. The long, tough fibers of other agaves, such as the sisal and henequen, may be formed into thread, cord, and rope. The green leaves of the plants are used as fodder.

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