A more typical agave.  They start with an "asparagus" stalk that can grow inches a day ... then...

A more typical agave. They start with an "asparagus" stalk that can grow inches a day ... then put on arms ... then the arms put out flowers. Fabulous plants. They do it once, and die. They'll bloom when they are 30 - 50 years old (hence the name "century plant" ... and generally have enough 'pups' around them to continue the species.

Location
TucsonSonora Desert MuseumSDM April 2010
Photographer
Peter Hovell
Date taken