The Agave Americana, once seen, is not mistaken for anything else. 
It stands, sentinel beside Spanish roads, reaching to the sky. Up to 6m tall, it looks like it belongs in the Mediterranean but it only arrived here after the discovery of America, when it became a popular garden plant in southern Europe in the early 17th century. 
Famously, the Century Plant earns its nickname because it takes years to flower, and then does so only once. The plant puts all its energy into this one huge flower spike, so as the flower grows the plant withers and dries out. As soon as the seeds are ripe, the plant dies. 
5 to remember
equivocado/a – mistaken
el centinela – the sentinel
el Mediterráneo – the Mediterranean
el descubrimiento – the discovery
la América – America
Notes on a Spanish Valley
Award-winning blog – Living in rural Andalucia
Notes on a Spanish Valley 
They are a magnificent addition to our landscape here 🙂
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Seem to be lots of them this year too. SD
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With that much drama the first time, no need to stick around for wimpy seconds.
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Yes, but the wait is so long! SD
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Thank you for the information! I’ve seen these so many times and knew nothing about them. How extraordinary.
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Yes, so dramatic! SD
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got to learn something new today 🙂
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They are very statuesque plants! SD
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