Agavaceae: Century Plant Family
Chapparal Yucca / Our Lord’s Candle – Hesperoyucca whipplei
Blooms:
Apr–May
Plant Height:
2–40 dm
Flower Size:
Large clusters
Origin:
Native
Habitat:
Chaparral; dry, rocky slopes
Notes:
Unmistakable. It has a basal rosette of narrow, gray, spine-tipped leaves. The tall flower spike is covered with a mass of creamy-white flowers.
Wavyleaf Soap Plant – Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. pomeridianum
Blooms:
May–Aug
Plant Height:
5–25 dm
Flower Size:
Medium
Origin:
Native
Habitat:
Dry, open hills & plains
Notes:
Easily recognizable by its wavy basal leaves and beautiful white flowers which only open in late afternoon and close by the following morning. The bulb is covered in coarse fibers. Both bulb and fibers were used by the indigenous people in various ways.
Century Plant – Agave americana
Plant Height:
8–20 dm
Flower Size:
Large clusters
Origin:
Mexico
Habitat:
Various
Notes:
The illustrated specimens were certainly introduced. There are three species of Agave found in California (Agave deserti, shawii & utahensis), but none grows naturally in Monterey County. Plants flower only once during their lifetime and then die (although often after producing suckers which develop into new plants). The name “Century Plant” is something of an exaggeration, 10-30 years is closer to their normal lifespan.
