Arizona in bloom - Parry's Agave

The magnificent Parry's Agave (Agave parryi) is a common succulent found throughout the hills of Arizona. After 20 or so years the thick rosette of stiff bladed leaves send up a flower stalk that can reach over 20 feet tall.

The bright red/orange/yellow flowers will attract multitudes of bees and hummingbirds to the colorful blooms. After the plant has produced its crop of shiny black seeds the mother plant will die to be replaced by offshoots already sprouting from its base.

Almost resembles a modernistic work of art from this angle.