Century Plant🌿

A succulent in the asparagus family, subfamily Agavoideae. The Japanese name 'ryūzetsu' ('dragon's tongue') refers to the long, thick, dragon-tongue-like leaves. Native to Mexico and Central and South America. Blooms once every several decades, sending up a multi-meter flower stalk, then dies. Used for tequila and mezcal, and as a fiber crop.

Identification Points

• ✓Thick fleshy leaves in a rosette, 1–2 m long
• ✓Sharp spines on leaf margins and tips
• ✓Once-in-decades flowering with a tall stalk several meters high

Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification

Phylogenetic Positionキジカクシ科 →