Sissal
Agave sisalana
Heavily grazed rocky slope near Voi, Kenya. 28 May 2017.
LEAVES: Spear shaped leaves have very sharp tips. These leaves are densly spaced just above ground level.
Leaves are harvested on plantations yielding commercial fibers.
SUCCULENT: Typical mature plants before flowering are about 1.5 meters in height.
FLOWERS: Clusters of large, cream-colored flowers on a tall stalk reaching 3 or 4 meters.
The parent plant normally dies after many years of vegetative growth once flowering is complete. This results in the common name Century Plant.
RANGE: There are many Agave species all native to the Americas. Others have been imported for their decorative appeal.
This example is reproducing via new shoots arising from the underground corm.
FRUIT:
ARMED.