Agave americana saplings planted at Beldih Triangle on Monday. (Animesh Sengupta)

What better way to accentuate the landscape of a city owing its existence to more than 100-year-old Tata Steel than the century plant.

The ornamental plant, whose botanical name is Agave americana, is taking pride of place along thoroughfares in elite residential areas of the city as a part of the steel major’s beautification drive.

The first set of a dozen saplings were planted on Saturday and Sunday within piles of white quartzite stones along the road near Beldih Triangle in Northern Town.

The park and garden unit of Tata Steel subsidiary Jusco is supervising the drive and will be responsible for future upkeep of the plants, which have been grown in its own nursery. The quartzite stones have been brought from the city’s suburbs.

Experts said the Agave americana was originally grown in Mexico in the US, but is now cultivated worldwide.

The misnamed century plant typically lives only 10 to 30 years. It has a spreading rosette about 13ft wide of gray-green leaves, each with a spiny yellow margin (marginata variety) and a heavy spike at the tip that can pierce to the bone.

Tropical conditions are favourable for this perennial plant that is semelparous in nature, which means it flowers once before each rosette dies.

The name “century” is given because of the “almost eternity” it takes to flower. The number of years before flowering depends on the vigour of an individual plant, the richness of the soil, and the climate.

Sources in Jusco said the century plant, which so far only adorned parks and hotel premises, were being planted along roads for the first time to enhance the aesthetic look of the city. The quartzite base also adds a stunning contrast. The plants are drought-resistant and are not damaged by cattle because of the spikes.

“Earlier, our green drive was traditional with only deciduous trees and flowering plants, which needed iron gabions or pre-fabricated concrete guards. But now, the century plant is more contemporary. The white quartzite base will prevent erosion of the soil, which has been treated with chemicals and fertilisers,” a source in Jusco said.

General manager (town services) Dhananjay Mishra said the century plant beautification drive would continue till the 500-metre stretch in Northern Town was covered. In the next phases, CH Area and Bistupur may be taken up.