This plant only flowers once in its lifetime, 10-20 years. Then it dies, hence another name, the Century Plant.  Tequila is made from a close relative in Mexico.  Rafts are still sometimes made by Antiguan youths out of the dried flower poles that sprout from the middle of the leafy rosette, February - March.  Large yellow inflorescences are borne on these pole-like stems, 15-20 ft. high. This is a wonderful place to watch birds feeding.