Mystery 'tequila plant' to flower for the first time as scientists who have tended it for 57 YEARS wait excitedly to FINALLY confirm its species

  • Horticulturalists from Cambridge University Botanic Garden look after the plant
  • They have been unable to identify the exact species of the mysterious plant 
  • The agave plant is related to the agave species used for traditional tequila 
  • The plant's flower spike looks like a giant piece of asparagus, researchers say

By TIM COLLINS FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

A succulent related to the plant used to make tequila that has been growing for 57 years is about to flower for the first time.

After more than a half-century, an agave plant in the Arid House greenhouse at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden will spill its secrets.

Botanists have been unable to identify the exact family of the mysterious plant - which grows 5" (12.7cm) a day - because of its lack of flowers.

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A succulent (pictured) related to the plant used to make tequila that has been growing for 57 years is about to flower for the first time

A succulent (pictured) related to the plant used to make tequila that has been growing for 57 years is about to flower for the first time 

After more than a half-century, an agave plant in the Arid House greenhouse at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden (pictured) will spill its secrets

After more than a half-century, an agave plant in the Arid House greenhouse at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden (pictured) will spill its secrets 

'It's very exciting for us - it was sitting there quite quietly and then all of a sudden this happened,' Sally Petitt, head of horticulture at the garden, told the BBC.

While waiting for the first flowers to appear, the plant's caretakers have been measuring the agave plant's daily growth. 

Though the agave plant is related to the agave species used for traditional tequila production, it probably wouldn't produce a similar liquor.

Botanists have been unable to identify the exact species of the mysterious plant (pictured)  because of its lack of flowers.
The plant (pictured) which grows 5" (12.7cm) a day

Botanists have been unable to identify the exact species of the mysterious plant - which grows 5" (12.7cm) a day - because of its lack of flowers

While waiting for the first flowers to appear, the plant's (pictured) caretakers have been measuring the agave plant's daily growth

While waiting for the first flowers to appear, the plant's (pictured) caretakers have been measuring the agave plant's daily growth

'You could probably make something with the agave that is currently flowering, but it wouldn't be traditional Tequila,' a botanical garden spokesperson told The Drinks Business.

The plant's flower spike looks like a giant piece of asparagus. 

Agave plants are part of the Asparagaceae family. Because agave plants are monocarpic, the much-awaited flowering is bittersweet. Once an agave plant flowers, it sets its seeds and dies.

Sometimes, the dead plant puts out new rosettes at its base. Ms Petitt told the BBC she hopes 'some part of it will remain.'

Though the agave plant is related to the agave species used for traditional tequila (pictured) production, it probably wouldn't produce a similar liquor

Though the agave plant is related to the agave species used for traditional tequila (pictured) production, it probably wouldn't produce a similar liquor

WHAT IS AGAVE AND WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT IT?

Agave - pronounced ah-gah-vay - is the plant from which tequila is made.It has also been used for thousands of years as an ingredient in food. 

The nectar made from the plant is known in Mexico as aguamiel, or 'honey water.'

The Aztecs prised agave as a gift from the gods and used the liquid from its core to flavor foods and drinks.

It has also seen a rise as the sweetener of choice for the health conscious, due to its claimed benefits over sugar - although some experts debate these benefits.

That include its higher sweetness than sugar, meaning less is needed to sweeten foods.

The plant is also known as the century plant, because it is thought to flower only once every 100 years.

However, this is misleading as it usually flowers after 20 to 30 years of storing enormous food reserves in its leaves and then dies. 

Originally from Mexico, agave now grows across the world in similar growth conditions - a sunny and dry climate, and well-drained soil.

Agave is pollinated by insects, nectar-loving bats and hummingbirds. 

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