06/20/2026
"What is that tree-looking thing?
It's not a tree-it's the bloom stalk of a Havard agave!
Also known as the century plant, this desert succulent can grow for 20-50 years before sending up a towering bloom stalk up to 23 feet tall! These yellow-flowered giants only bloom once before the plant dies, making each sighting rare and special.
In Big Bend, the endangered Mexican long-nosed bat plays a key role in pollinating them, feeding on nectar with a 3-inch tongue!
Indigenous peoples used the leaves for fiber, bloom stalks for building, and roasted the heart for food. A true desert survivor.
If you spot one blooming, pause and enjoy-these moments don't last long.” -
