Mystery ‘tequila plant’ to flower for the first time as scientists who have tended it for 57 YEARS wait excitedly to FINALLY confirm its species
- Horticulturalists from Cambridge University Botanic Garden look after the plant
- They have been unable to identify the exact species of the mysterious plant
- The agave plant is related to the agave species used for traditional tequila
- The plant’s flower spike looks like a giant piece of asparagus, researchers say
A succulent related to the plant used to make tequila that has been growing for 57 years is about to flower for the first time.
After more than a half-century, an agave plant in the Arid House greenhouse at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden will spill its secrets.
Botanists have been unable to identify the exact family of the mysterious plant – which grows 5″ (12.7cm) a day – because of its lack of flowers.
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A succulent (pictured) related to the plant used to make tequila that has been growing for 57 years is about to flower for the first time
After more than a half-century, an agave plant in the Arid House greenhouse at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden (pictured) will spill its secrets
‘It’s very exciting for us – it was sitting there quite quietly and then all of a sudden this happened,’ Sally Petitt, head of horticulture at the garden, told the BBC.
While waiting for the first flowers to appear, the plant’s caretakers have been measuring the agave plant’s daily growth.
Though the agave plant is related to the agave species used for traditional tequila production, it probably wouldn’t produce a similar liquor.
Botanists have been unable to identify the exact species of the mysterious plant – which grows 5″ (12.7cm) a day – because of its lack of flowers
While waiting for the first flowers to appear, the plant’s (pictured) caretakers have been measuring the agave plant’s daily growth
‘You could probably make something with the agave that is currently flowering, but it wouldn’t be traditional Tequila,’ a botanical garden spokesperson told The Drinks Business.
The plant’s flower spike looks like a giant piece of asparagus.
Agave plants are part of the Asparagaceae family. Because agave plants are monocarpic, the much-awaited flowering is bittersweet. Once an agave plant flowers, it sets its seeds and dies.
Sometimes, the dead plant puts out new rosettes at its base. Ms Petitt told the BBC she hopes ‘some part of it will remain.’
Though the agave plant is related to the agave species used for traditional tequila (pictured) production, it probably wouldn’t produce a similar liquor