In a neighboring yard is a plant with a flower stem that resembles an enormous asparagus stalk. This is an agave.
A neighbor tells me he’s lived here over 10 years and this is the first time he’s seen it flower. Agave stalks are used to make didgeridoos…perhaps that’s why one rarely sees anyone wandering down the street with a didgeridoo tucked under their arm!
Apparently, once an agave has flowered, the entire plant will die. However, its seedlings form the next generation…I wonder if I’ll still be here to see its offspring flower too.
Kauai Greenhorn 
I thought agave was to make tequila? I need a Mai Tai.
Interesting how on the ball you are when it comes to all things alcohol, Erich! 😉 You are of course absolutely correct, but that’s specifically the aptly named tequila agave or blue agave, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave_tequilana. Sadly this is not one of those; it’s an agave angustifolia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave_angustifolia (and no, it’s not used to make angostura bitters).