Once in a lifetime plant now in bloom in Hayle

Hayle boasts very rare puya plants whcih normally grow in South America and die once they have flowered. It is now in bloom.

By Olivier Vergnault

A once in a lifetime flowering plant is now in bloom in Hayle.

The town boasts a rare 'Puya' flower on King George V Memorial Walk.

These terrestrial plants are native to the Andes Mountains of South America and southern Central America. Many of the species are monocarpic which means that the parent plant dies after one flower and going to seed.

Puya can grow three metre tall in vegetative growth with a flower spike sometimes growing as tall as 10 metres.

A spokesman for the Hayle Town Council said: "Next time you are out for a walk why not look out for this special plant.

"Puya flower only once in their lifetime before the plant dies, and this may take 30 years or more for this to occur.

"It really is beautiful."

*picture by Hayle Town Council