Is there a horticulturist in the house?

<p>I photographed this interesting plant at an old adobe in Santa

Barbara while wandering around my my M6TTL recently. Anyone know the

name of the plant? (It's fairly large - almost 3' in diameter, and

about the same height.) </p>

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50mm Summicron DR w/ Ilford Delta 100, developed in Ilfotec HC and

scanned from the negative. Toned slightly in Photoshop.

Hi Ralph,

It looks like a Century Plant.They make Tequila from it and,in the old days(before it was banned) Pulque.

Great composition. I think Ansel Adams proyographed several in his Yosemite days.

It's definitely a Century Plant...named so because it's supposed to live 100 years. I have 3 in my yard. You can't kill them. The pointed part will grow long and tall and produce flowers.

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This must be a young plant. It will eventually develop very sharp spikes on its leaves (like the one in the background of your photo), and sharp needles on the ends.

<p>

I guess it lives a hundred years because you can't get near the thing without sticking yourself.

Nice shot! I like it.

You can lead a whore to culture, but you can't make her buy a Leica . . .

I've always known it as agave.

 

You can still get pulque in Mexico, just not in stores.

<p>Thanks, guys. I've seen lots of century plants (agave) in the desert, but the lack of spines at the tips of the leaves and no center stalk on this one had me fooled, I guess.</p>

 

<p>I think the plant behind it is an ochagavia - much smaller leaf clusters. (correct me, please, if I'm wrong on that, too.)</p>

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By the way, there are some interesting uses for agave, assuming that's what it is, that you might try:

<p><i>

The sap of century plant is used as a diuretic and a laxative. The juice of the leaves is applied to bruises and taken internally for indigestion, flatulence, constipation, jaundice and dysentery. Steroid hormone precursors are obtained from the leaves. </i>

Dont know the name of first plant, it actualy gives yellow flowers, but it is not agave or blue agave that is the one tequila is made from, pulque is the juice of this same plant but not destiled as tequila, a drink still popular in mexico but not easy to find good one, few years ago there was an agave azul crisis in mexico, reason for quality of tequila came down, now big brands are not so good, but small houses, if you buy tequila make sure it says 100% agave.

 

Second plant is aloe or savila also give flowers but not so often, great for any thing you put it on, a cut in the skin can be easily cured by puting the row liquid of the plant over the injured zone, kills pain in a moment.

 

Beautiful pictures.

Agave´s center is a ball larger than a basket ball and aroun it al leaves grow, when ready to take the syurp from it, it is cutes and all leaves peel off, the ball is put to boil in water there the tequila proces begins. Salud! Cheers!

Damn Roberto, you're making me thirsty!

 

:>}

Beautiful photograph Ralph!<br>

Sounds like the juice from this plant would have been usefull yesterday when I poured boiling water over my right hand. A tequila would have been nice too.

It is for sure one of my favourite strong drinks, and scotch, the problem with tequila is that you hardly get drunk, you can drink and drink until you fall over a table, this only happens if you drink it pure and don´t mix.

 

Japanes doctors says is the best for arthritis.

 

In Mexico there are at least ten diferent ways to destile this plant, what we know as tequila is the one is made in Tequila Jalisco, but you can find Mezcal from diferents parts of the country like Zacatecas and Oaxaca, from Oaxaca comes the Mezcal with a worm, that is a magical experience for sure, it is definetively an alucinating drink.

 

Have you ever try mushroms, I did in the mountains of Oaxaca, a revelation, any one should try it once, I need a second one.