ALOEALOES AND AGAVES
While we’re on the subject of aloes, it might be a good time to point out that the century plant is not an aloe; and although both are succulents belonging to the lily or amaryllis family of plants, they aren’t closely related. Neither agaves nor aloes are cacti. The “agave americana,” blooms only once; the blooming spike is so large and grows so fast that it saps all the resources of the plant, which then dies, leaving a tall wooden seed stalk. The flowering stalk can grow up to 40 feet high. It’s called the “century plant” because of this “once a century” bloom (actually the plant lives an average of 25 years). Native Americans used agaves for medicines, fiber, needles, weapons, soap, and food. The plant is used commercially in Mexico as a source to produce the liquors tequila, pulque, and mescal.AGAVE