Is it a telephone pole? Is it giant asparagus? Just what is it?
A few months ago these two agave plants started sending out these giant spears. They resembled asparagus spears. Agave is related to asparagus but a distant relative. In Mexico, the blue agave core is fermented into tequila, before flowering the flower stalk can yield a sweet liquid which can also be fermented into an alcoholic drink called pulque. Does anyone have a homemade still?
Flowering indicates the end of the life for the agave. Outdoors can live 30-40 years even longer sometimes the agave is referred to as the century plant because it lives so long before it flowers. In Mexico, the agave is naturally pollinated by migrating cave-dwelling, long-nosed bats of the genus Leptoncleris. That's not likely to happen here, perhaps hummingbirds and bees will soon be flying around these plants.
The flowering phase can continue for several months. These probably will take a bit longer as no one is around to water the plants. Unfortunately, after flowering and pollination the stalk falls down as the plant loses energy to support the stalk. It sends out pups which are basically clones at the base to continue the circle of life.
One word of caution in handling or cutting the agave, I got contact dermatitis when my neighbor used a weed wacker on one of the lower growing agaves on this lawn. Always wear gloves, long sleeves, and contact your doctor if a rash develops.
References:
KQED Nature Series ”The Bat Man of Mexico”, Season 39 Episode 3. Documentary on the long nose bat and it's relationship to the tequila Agave.
www.webmd.com/allergies/features/itchy-plants