Have you ever wondered why your, for example, Sempervivum plant after flowering has died? It's not because there was something wrong with the cultivation, no, none of that What has happened is that your plant is monocarpic. This word that may seem complex has a simple meaning.
It is an evolutionary phenomenon of some plants, very striking for humans but important for the survival of the species. Let's see what it consists of and what are monocarpic plants. whereby once a few years have passed after the germination of the seed, the plant spends all its energy to flourish and produce seeds. Once the flowering is coming to an end, little by little the leaves are dying, and later the trunk or stem if it had.
What is monocarpism?
Monocarpism is an evolutionary strategy that many plants have been developing, most of them originating in very hot regions or, on the contrary, very cold, and arid or semi-arid. These plants live for several years until they bloom, but when they finally do, they usually produce a flower stalk that doubles or sometimes triples in total height, from which numerous flowers sprout.
For this, the plant uses a lot, a lot of energy, but this energy has been accumulating since it germinated when it was a seed. So far so good, but After flowering, they produce fruit with seeds, and this is what causes them to die.
Types of monocarpic plants
There are many plants that only flower once in their life, and then they die. It is interesting to know them because, thus, if we decide to cultivate them, we will know that we will not have to worry when the time comes.
Aecmea (Aechmea, all species)
All the aecmea They are monocarpic bromeliads that live for a few years and then bloom. But since they produce numerous suckers, it is not a problem, since these suckers grow quickly. The most cultivated species is the Aechmea fasciata, which is originally from Brazil. They have wide and long leaves, about 10 x 60 centimeters.
The inflorescence is pyramidal in shape, and is made up of many pink, triangular flowers. This remains open for about six months; later, it withers. But in addition, it produces seeds, which can be sown at the moment or in spring.
They have to be kept in the shade, unless you want to grow indoors, in which case we will place it in a room with light. It does not support frost.
Guzmania wittmackii
Image - Wikimedia / David J. Stang
La Guzmania wittmackii It is a type of natural bromeliad from Colombia and Ecuador. Of epiphytic habit, develops leaves up to 80 centimeters long by 3 centimeters wide, forming a rosette that arises from a short stem. When it blooms, it does so by producing a flower spike up to 100 centimeters tall, with many white flowers that remain open for four months.
In cultivation it has to be kept in the shade, or indoors with lots of light. It requires high humidity and protection against frost.
Fishtail Palm (A burning caryota)
La fishtail palm tree it is a very interesting plant. Other palm trees have bipinnate leaves, but this one also has wedge-shaped leaflets, which gives them a really curious appearance. It can measure between 15 and 20 meters in height, and develops a straight and rather thin trunk about 30 centimeters thick.
It is native to India, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka, and produces stinging fruits, with globular shape that end up being black when ripe. Its growth rate is slow, but it can live for several decades before flowering.
The only thing, you need the weather to be warm and humid. Young specimens need shade, but adults may be in semi-shade. Resists up to -2ºC.
Tahini spectabilis
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- IImagen - Flickr / Scott Zone
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- Image - Wikimedia / John Dransfield
La Tahini spectabilis it is another monocarpic palm. It is native to Madagascar, it can be about 10 meters tall, and develops fan-shaped leaves that measure 5 meters in diameter. When it blooms, it produces a candelabra-like inflorescence that is 4,5 meters high.
As a curious fact, say that it was discovered in 2007. And sadly, it is in danger of extinction. Since 2008 it is being cultivated, first in Kew, and later also by the hand of some lucky botanical gardens, such as the Palmetum of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
It is very sensitive to cold. It should only be grown in tropical and subtropical climates.
Ensete (all species)
Image - Flickr / Drew Avery
Plants of the Ensete genus are similar to banana trees (Musa sp), but they do not have rhizomatous roots and they only flower once in their life, that is, they can be multiplied only by seeds which they produce after several years of growth. They are native to tropical Africa and Asia, and they can be about 7 meters tall. The leaves are very large, up to 5 meters long by 1 meter wide, and they grow very fast.
The fruits can be eaten, but are said to have almost no flavor. What is highly appreciated in some regions is the root. This can weigh up to 40kg, so it serves as food for many families. In cultivation they are very water-demanding plants. I have a Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelli' in the soil and I'm sure I could water it every day and it wouldn't have fungus problems or anything. Now, I water it twice a week in summer and it's still very pretty.
They resist specific, short frosts, down to -2ºC. The wind spoils its leaves.
What are monocarpic succulents?
If you are a collector of succulent plants or want to know if you have any that are monocarpic, then we will tell you which are the ones that bloom and die:
American agave
Image - Flickr / Lino M
El American agave or yellow agave is a plant that is distributed mainly in the arid areas of the American continent. It has succulent leaves up to 2 meters long by 25 centimeters wide., normally green in color but can be variegated (green with a yellow margin).
It blooms once in its life producing a huge flower stalk up to 10 meters tall with countless yellow flowers. In Spain it is considered an invasive species.
Furcraea (all species)
The fique, as they are called in popular language, are native plants of tropical America, typical of dry regions. They develop a straight stem from which leaves similar to those of agaves sprout: triangular, with a sharp point, and green or grayish-green. The flowers emerge from a panicle-shaped inflower.
They are ideal for growing in sunny, low-maintenance gardens, as they resist drought well. What's more, withstand mild frosts, even the species Furcraea foetida 'Mediopicta' holds up to -4ºC.
Sempervivum (all species)
The Sempervivum They are plants that are used to cover floors or planted in pots and / or planters. Originating from Morocco to Iran, passing through the Balkans, Turkey and the Alps. They are very resistant to cold, so much so that they can withstand very intense frosts. However, they don't like the heat too much; That is why in very hot climates where the sun is very intense it is highly recommended to have them in semi-shade.
They have a great tendency to remove basal suckers, which can be separated and planted in individual pots.
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora
Image - Wikimedia / Forest and Kim Starr
El Kalanchoe thyrsiflora is a shrubby succulent plant native to South Africa and Lesotho. Reaches 50 centimeters in height, and develops succulent, rounded leaves, green with a reddish margin (especially if it gets the sun all day).
The inflorescence is a panicle with greenish flowers, and reaches a meter high. Resists light frosts and drought.
What do you think of these plants?
Thank you Monica for this report… .In my grandparents' house there was one of these impressive palm trees of all life, nobody knows who planted it or how it ended up there, the truth is that it was already very high when one fine day it literally exploded in flowers surprising all the neighbors and passersby, then the fruits came and then the death of said beloved palm tree ... We were a bit saddened, but this sadness did not last long because the whole area was plagued by their children, hundreds of them that we gave away to those interested not counting the seeds that some neighbors collected… .This was the great legacy that that beloved palm tree left that, as you say ”… It spends all its energy in that unique flowering“ Thank you.
Hello Raul.
What a beautiful story 🙂, thanks for sharing it.
That palm tree did not just leave: it left its offspring in the best hands.
Congratulations.
To these plants, it is residual to an agave, if the flower is cut, can we stop the death process?
Hello Michelangelo.
The truth is that I have not had the opportunity to verify it with the agave (yes with an Aeonium). What I got is to extend his life a bit, but not much more (a few months). In the end it ended up taking out its flower stem and it ended up drying.
A greeting.