Goldenflower AgaveGolden-flowered Century Plant
Agave chrysantha
Goldenflower Century Plants were blooming in abundance along the Apache Trail, e. Maricopa Co., Arizona on 30 May 2009.
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SUCCULENT: The long tappered leaves are stout with spines along the
margins, a stout spine at the leaf tip, and leaves clustered all at ground level. Before
flowering the tips of the leaves can reach almost a meter
tall.
ARMED: Sharp spines at leaf tips and along leaf margins.
LEAVES: Long, tapered blade-like leaves are disposed just above ground
level and are thick, succulent.
RANGE: On rocky terraces high above most of the Upper Sonoran Desert and
more abundant in transition to desert grassland and piñon/oak/juniper.
FLOWERS: Towering stalks of golden yellow flowers set in broad, flat
panicles supported on side branches from the 6-meter tall main stalk. Blooming
late May and June. After blooming the plant dies, but is usually succeeded by
one or more vegetatively propagated pups. Growth before flowering takes years,
but not usu. anywhere near a century.
FRUIT: Five-centimeter, oblong fleshy capsules with three valves.
