Free Republic

A 15-foot-tall Agave plant is blooming and drawing crowds to the Dallas Arboretum. The Arboretum says the Agave victoriae-reginae is 20 years old and this will be the only time it blooms in its lifetime. Once it finishes blooming, the plant will die, but not before sowing seeds for the next generation. The plant just started opening up and will bloom in the Garden's Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden for two to four weeks. Agave victoriae-reginae plant is endangered in its native Sierra Madre mountain range of Chihuahua, Mexico.

Tequila shots may do more than lighten the mood at a party; the drink may be beneficial for your health as well. According to researchers from Mexico, natural sugars derived from the agave plant, called agavins, greatly protected a group of mice against diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes, MedPage Today reported. […] Because agavins act as dietary fibers and do not raise blood sugar, the researchers believe the ingredient could be used as an alternative sweetening agent. …

For years, cheap imported garlic has been cutting into the bottom line of Gilroy's signature crop. Now one entrepreneur has come to the Garlic Capital of the World to grow the key ingredient in tequila, agave. Grower Frank Leal has made an award-winning winery business in the hills above Hollister. Planting 10 acres of blue agaves, he has set his sights on being the first to bottle California's take on tequila. Our video report has more (Link)