While scientists were in the process of identifying four new species of agave, an agave on my terrace…
… had a surprise of its own.
Seemingly overnight, from its center, a stalk (aka, quiote) began reaching toward the sky.
After awhile, buds began appearing along the sides of the stalk.
And from the buds, the rainy season brought blossoms.
The flowers opened from bottom to top.
Eventually, all the flowers browned and seed pods began forming.
Who knows what I will find when I return to Casita Colibrí next week. What I do know is that this agave is now dying — but there are plantlets waiting to replace it! By the way, quiotes have traditionally been used for firewood (Maybe for my chiminea?) and even to make a didgeridoo-like musical instrument. (Hmmm… I don’t think I’ll try the latter.)
Cool!!!!!!
Mother Nature is definitely pretty cool!
Love this post, Shannon — super information and photos. I’m sending this to a friend in England who is not only a succulent enthusiast, but an expert. He is going to be thrilled!
Thanks!
Very cool !!
Very cool, indeed!
It and other parts of the agave are apparently edible, so have a little quiote festival when you get home.
See the noun example here
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/quiote
and then read this
http://www.blueagaveforum.com/forum/index.php?/topic/2856-is-agave-edible/
Your photos of it are great!
Thanks! Still watching it… now little plantlets have sprouted next to the seed pods.
Pretty Pretty
I’ve seen the stalks cut and used as decorations during Semana Santa in Mitla.
When I see them in yards in San Antonio, love the phase where an agave resembles a giant stalk of asparagus, Jack and the Bean Stalk worthy. The most beautiful reuse I have witnessed was at an art opening. The cut stalk was steadied in a pot with pots of blooming plants hung from the arms of its blossoms….
Yes, giant asparagus!
On our recent trip we met a man who had made two didgeridoos from quiotes, and he gave me a little concert!
A couple of years ago, at an expo-venta here, a guy had made a didgeridoo and also gave a little concert. Chris tried it and it was pretty funny. 😉
Your posts are read faithfully by me. I moved from Portland, OR to Oaxaca several months ago. I love it here. I was wondering, when did it rain? I can’t wait for rain. It is very dry in Ixotel where I live.
¡Bienvenidos a Oaxaca! Rainy season usually starts in late spring and lasts until early fall. Happy waiting. 😉