cahyman

Apocalypse Now

This particular image is a composite of a closeup and another of the entired plant. In creating the composite, I modified the blending so that different colors...
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This particular image is a composite of a closeup and another of the entired plant. In creating the composite, I modified the blending so that different colors appear.

The Queen of the Andes (native to South America) is also called Puya raimondii. There and here, it ALWAYS dwarfs other vegetation, and when it finally flowers (after 80 to 150 years), it soars to 12 meters (39 ft) in height and truly looks like a super flora. Amazingly, it grows to such heights in regions with harsh conditions and at very high altitudes, where it seems impossible for any plant to thrive.

This particular plant also grows in southern Utah and this one was seen in Washington county, Utah, USA. In warmer climes, the plant blooms more frequently.

When in bloom, the Queen of the Andes produces a towering, seed-bearing spike on which thousands of white, green, and purple flowers grow. Once the spike drops its millions of seeds, the plant dies. Frequently it leaves behind a small pup so it appears that the same flower blooms and re-blooms.
Recommended aspet ratio: 2:3

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