A Puya chilensis plant, also known as the sheep-eating plant, has bloomed for the first time ever after growing for over 15 years in the U.K.
The plant has been at the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden Wisley for over 15 years and in the that time it has reached a height of 10 feet and its signature razor-sharp, hook-shaped spines have grown much larger than anticipated according to a report by BBC.
In its natural habitat of Chile, the plant uses its spikes to gather up sheep or smaller animals. Once the animal has starved to death and decomposed inside the plant, the animals nourish the plant through the soil, "acting as a gruesome fertilizer" according to The Huffington Post.
Cara Smith, a Cara Smith, a horticulturist at the Garden Wisley, said that the plant was able to bloom thanks to keeping it well nourished on liquid fertilizer. Feeding the plant on its natural diet "might prove a bit problematic" Smith added.
"It's well worth a visit but parents coming along with small children don't need to worry about the plant devouring their little ones. It's growing in the arid section of our Glasshouse with its deadly spines well out of reach of both children and sheep alike," said Smith said in a press release on the RHS website.
The plant is set to bloom within the next few days and should remain in flower for around a week, if not more.
So what do you think? Should we be worried about the plant or do you think it's safe?
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