This strange plant looks like it was brought here from the forbidden plant. It is a type of agave. Some are called century plants because it takes them nearly 40 years to bloom. Once they do, the plant begins to die. The leaves at the base often form a perfectly round “ball” shape. As the flower stalk grows, the leaves start to wither and fade, laying down like stacked papers. The stalk uses nutrition from the leaves.

The plants often develope little “pups”, offshoots around the base as well. The bloom stalk can grow as tall as 30 feet. Some agave have clumps of yellow flowers. A tasty treat for hummingbirds and bees. I can’t help finding them fascinating.