ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — The plant in Loxley Police Department Lt. Raymond Lovell’s front yard is dying.

But, that’s OK with Lovell. The plant is a “Century Plant,” a type of agave (yes, a cousin to the plant used to make tequila) and it is supposed to bloom once before it dies. According to an on-line encyclopedia, the plant was imported from Mexico, and remains in the extreme south of the United States.

There are exceptions to the “bloom and die” rule, says Mike McQueen, a regional extension agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

“But nine out of 10 times the plant is going to die,” said McQueen.

The agave is closely related to the lily and amaryllis, and are not related to cacti, despite the plant’s pointy, spiny leaves.

In Lovell’s case, the plant has shot up a stalk some 45 feet high, loaded with fragrant pale yellow blooms. Lovell says the stalk is very strong, almost woody.

“I have mixed emotions about it,” said Lovell, looking around his Pine Street yard that is loaded with cacti and succulents. “I love to see it bloom, but I hate to see it die.”

To enjoy the Century Plant’s blooms, one has to see it at night, Lovell says.

“The bees love it,” Lovell said, “but the plant really comes alive at night. It is covered with fragrant blooms. I just love it myself.”

Lovell knows he has a once-in-a-garden experience.

“The bloom is very rare,” Lovell said. “The plants or the gardner does not usually live that long before they bloom”

But, Lovell has another Century Plant near the blooming one that might be getting ready to send up a stalk.

“I’ve been watching that one,” Lovell said, “and maybe next year it will bloom.”

While many think that, because of its name, the Century Plant blooms once every hundred years, that’s not the case, says Marion Drummond, the executive director of the Mobile Botanical Garden.

“In its native place, it does not bloom so often because the soil is poor,” said Drummond. “In a garden, with richer soil, more rain and better care, the plant blooms more often.” She added that the bloom is unusual, and certainly worth noting by area gardeners.

“It (blooming) takes at least 10 years,” said McQueen.

You also have to be careful handling the Century Plant, both McQueen and Drummond warn — the plant has sharp spikes along its leaves to discourage predators that might want the sweet liquid in the leaves. It also discourages home gardeners from considering the plant, McQueen says. He’s obviously a fan.

“It makes a good specimen plant. Of course, it depends on what you want to accomplish in your yard, but it does not require a lot of water. It’s good for xeriscaping,” said McQueen.

Growing cactus and cactus-like plants in his yard is a hobby for Lovell.

“I just love cactuses,” said Lovell. “When we go out to Arizona or California, I look for pieces to ship back or have them shipped back.”

When the plants get to Lovell’s Loxley yard, he does not coddle them. They have to adjust to the climate here quickly.

“I cover them (during the winter) so they can adjust for the first two years or so,” said Lovell, “then they are on their own.”

Lovell added that he did not “baby” this particular plant. It’s been transplanted at least once, and Lovell admits to not being too kind to it.

Transplanting the Century Plant is common, says Drummond.

“Most people don’t realize how big it’s going to get,” said Drummond.

While most of Lovell’s neighbors lenjoy growing bright crepe myrtles and roses in their yards, Lovell relishes the challenge of growing cacti and succulents.

“I don’t know, I like having something different. I like to see something different in my yard,” Lovell said.

According to Lovell, this is the second time in the past 15 years that a Century Plant has bloomed in Loxley.

“There was one about 15 years ago,” Lovell said.

Lovell’s plant, which Lovell estimated should still be blooming for “another two weeks,” has attracted its share of attention.

“Lots of folks have been coming by to take pictures,” he said.