HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

Cover: A century plant (Agave americana L.) reaches for the afternoon sun. The name agave comes from the Greek word agavos, meaning noble or admirable, and this group of plants has lived up to its name. The Agave americana is often called the century plant because was reputed to bloom only once in 100 years, but that's an exaggeration. It does only bloom once in its lifetime, but usually between 7 and 20 years. Photo taken in Big Bend National Park, March 2000. Photo by Kenneth Ransom.