An icon in decline...

Here in Portland huge Agaves are enough of a rarity, that when they do exist, they become local icons. People refer to them by "name" the "Fremont Agave" (dearly departed after blooming), the "Alameda Ridge Agave" and this one, the "Sacramento Street Agave"...

I'd last done a drive by in 2014 (photos shared on the plant lust blog) and everything looked grand. Yet on this most recent visit, in late September, things looked concerning. In fact I searched for proof of a bloom-spike, thinking that would explain the said state of the plant...declining after bloom.

But there was no sign, this deterioration couldn't be blamed on flowering.

A once glorious example of Agave-ness seems to be slipping away.

Although this smaller plant, lower on the slope, looks to be just fine.

Pink is not a normal color to see on healthy Agave arms.

And of course dried up, desiccated, limbs are no good.

This was nearby. Too little too late? (our summers are very dry, and for this agave to have survived multiple winters you know the drainage has to be excellent...did it just get too hot and dry?)

Here's hoping things can still take a turn for the better.

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