I bought this plant at Columbia RD market in East London, England, 5 years ago. In the last few weeks a huge spike has appeared from it's midst. It is now some 10 feet tall. Is this it's flower? Does anyone know how often it flowers? Is it liable to seed and if so are they worth keeping? I believe it is a Dasylirion, but what type I do not know. Can anyone help me please? Kind regards Bri.F
The huge spike is a flowering stem, it'll have flowers on later this summer. Not sure what the plant is, there are several fairly similar genera that look like this. Some are monocarpic (die after flowering and seeding), others aren't.
Thanks Michael, I am really looking forward to it flowering. The spike shot up so quickly we were amazed. It now has small shoots covered in what appear to be very small buds appearing from it. I take it these are the actual flowers? regards Bri.F
Could be flowers (i.e., a simple spike inflorescence), or could be side shoots that will have the flowers on (i.e., a branched spike inflorescence), depending on what species it is!
I note that the leaves look to be heavily serrated; there is a fellow local to me that grows this that I might could check with for an ID...