628 



ECOLOGY 



FIG. 921. FIG. 922. 



FIG. 921. The century plant (Agave americana) at the time of the rapid develop- 

 ment of its gigantic inflorescence; note the growing flower-stalk with its large bracts and 

 the rosette of stiff foliage leaves ; Washington Park, Chicago, 111. Photograph supplied 

 by FULLER. 



FIG. 922. The century plant. (Agave americana), showing a fully developed inflores- 

 cence ; note that the leaves, deprived of their accumulated water and food by the growing 

 inflorescence, have fallen back limp; the plant dies after the ripening of the fruit; Wash- 

 ington Park, Chicago, 111. (the same plant as in Fig. 921, two months later). Photo- 

 graph supplied by FULLER. 



