What is a Century Plant?

Many Columbians will recognize the large plant that seems to spill over onto Rosewood Drive. But the plant has seen more buzz recently, due to the fact that it currently resembles something out of a Dr. Seuss story. A giant stalk has started growing from the plant to the power lines.

The plant is a "Century Plant," also known as Agave americana. But what exactly is a century plant, and why the sudden appearance of the stalk? SCETV has answers.