Definition

Noun: 1. A specific species of agave plant: Agave americana is a large, perennial, monocarpic succulent plant native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, but widely cultivated. It is characterized by a rosette of thick, fleshy, spiny-edged leaves and a very tall flowering stalk. The plant flowers only once, after many years (typically 10-30), and then dies.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Agave americana in the botanical garden finally sent up its massive flower spike after twenty-five years.
  • Due to its dramatic lifecycle, Agave americana is often called the "century plant."
  • The sharp spines on the leaves of Agave americana require careful handling.

Advanced Usage

• Horticultural and Ecological Context: The term is used precisely in botany, horticulture, and ecology to identify this specific species, distinguishing it from other agaves like (used for tequila).
  • The study compared the drought tolerance of Agave americana to other xerophytic species.

Variants and Related Words

• Century plant (n): A common name for , referring to the long time it takes to bloom (though not literally a century).
• American aloe (n): Another common name, though it is not a true aloe.
• Maguey (n): A common name in Mexico for various agave species, including , especially when used for fiber or pulque.
• Agave (n): The genus to which this species belongs.

Synonyms

• Century plant (primary common synonym)
• American aloe (less common)

Related Phrases and Terms

• Monocarpic: (adj) A key characteristic, meaning the plant flowers, sets seeds, and dies only once in its lifetime.
• Succulent: (adj/n) Describes plants like that store water in their thick, fleshy leaves or stems.
• Inflorescence: (n) The complete flower head, which in is a tall, branched spike.

Noun

1. widely cultivated American monocarpic plant with greenish-white flowers on a tall stalk; blooms only after ten to twenty years and then dies