Agave Bostoniana

A 2006 news report out of Boston’s Beacon Hill, tells the story of an amazing 50-year-0ld agave that began life as a ‘regular old houseplant’ only to produce a flower stalk so prodigious the roof had to be removed. I like this video for the sense of wonder on the part of the reporter (plus: “tuh-keela”), and the anchorwoman’s suggestion that “Miracle Gro might work” to save the plant’s life. I can’t fault these Beantown residents for being awestruck by the plant’s mighty stalk — I can still remember the sense of wonder Paul and I felt when an agave we had in Long Beach made like Jack in the Beanstalk’s wonder vine and seemed to grow 3 feet in a day — and we were already familiar with agaves!

Press play, and enjoy the wonder: