One morning, Jackie Flournoy was leaving his home in Luthersville, Georgia (USA), when he came across a strange looking stump sticking out from one of his front lawn plants. He’s never seen anything like it. “what the hell?” Flournoy, 80, remembers saying it out loud that day in late March. “I didn’t know what it was.”
Upon further examination, he realized that the mysterious 1.5-meter-long stem had grown from a succulent plant that was a gift from his daughter 36 years ago. At first Flournoy thought the stalk appeared overnight, though now she suspects it may have been growing, without noticing, for about a week now. “It grew very quickly,” he recalls.
“I thought it was a normal cactus,” Flournoy stated, explaining the great surprise at the size of the stem, which seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Century Factory in name only
After more careful research on the Internet, he discovered that what he had planted was actually a cigarette holder (Agave americana) – a plant native to Mexico and parts of the United States, specifically Texas. In these regions, it is known as the horn plant, however, the nomenclature is misleading, since classify He does not live up to 100 years.
The perennial plant–with its large gray-green leaves and thorns at the base–usually lives between 10 and 30 years. Towards the end of its life, it produces an imposing stalk that grows in a matter of weeks, upon which bright yellow flowers bloom.
When he planted Flournoy in 1987, he thought it was an ordinary succulent. “I never thought it would turn into something like this…,” he said. Over the years, Flournoy explained, “it got bigger and bigger,” until spring “the stem slides through the big, fast-growing cactus.” Since its appearance three months ago, the stump has stretched to nearly eight meters in height – perhaps as far as it can go.
“It’s a miracle,” rejoices Flournoy – who has always been a diligent gardener and even today mows her own lawn. “No one here has…” Flournoy isn’t the only one excited about the giant torso. In recent weeks, the plant has become a local landmark in the village of Luthersville, which has a population of just under 800 people.
Doris Flournoy / Dr
“When you live in a small village, and all of a sudden, there’s something that gets excited, that involves the whole community,” Flournoy describes. The owner adds that she has dozens of people — including visitors from outside Luthersville — who stop by her garden to photograph the plant almost every day. “We all laughed about it,” Flournoy admits, adding that some people in the village asked him for an autograph. “It’s just a fun thing.”
Flournoy’s niece, Felicia Angulo, grew up in Luthersville and recalled never having seen “a plant of this size”. “I didn’t even know the stalks grew that long.” Angulo and his family are overjoyed at Flournoy’s sudden stardom. “I didn’t expect to be the center of attention,” Angulo admits. “I call it Jackie and the Beanstalk.” Flournoy, whose story has been viewed millions of times on YouTube, expressed how excited she was to get it [a planta] “And all the people love her.”
Climate issues can affect agriculture
Boston University biology professor Richard Primack understands why people are fascinated by this exotic plant. Primack explained that although the hornwort is commonly grown in other parts of the world, it is “rare in the region,” adding that The species thrives in places with desert climates, including northern Mexico and southwestern America. “They are not very frost tolerant, so they are not bred in places climate cold.”
Not only are they rarely seen in Luthersville, but horn plants have a “very unusual appearance,” which catches everyone’s eye, Primack adds. Furthermore, toward the end of his life, he exhibits “incredible behavior,” meaning he suddenly levitates.
Once the plant has produced its stems – which range in height from 4.57 meters to nine meters – a ‘dramatic display of flowers’ takes place. After flowering (which only occurs in summer), the plant dies, but leaves behind buds at the base that can root and form new plants.
According to Primack, climate plays an important role in plant growth.. “Under ideal conditions, it can probably flower after 10 to 15 years,” he said. He added that under less ideal conditions, it could take longer. Although Luthersville has a relatively mild climate year-round, the Flournoy plant has withstood some blizzards and cold conditions over its long life.
Flournoy was impressed that the plant had survived for so long. “All the people are so excited to see what he’s going to look like when he’s in full bloom,” she said, anticipating that to happen “next week.”
When the plant finally blooms, Flournoy will look forward to seeing another century plant growing in its place. However, next time, it wouldn’t be as shocking as seeing the giant torso rapidly explode. He sums up “I think this is all very exciting…”.
“Hardcore alcohol maven. Hipster-friendly analyst. Introvert. Devoted social media advocate.”
