Agave plants require a number of years to store sufficient plant foods for the production of the huge flower stalk which grows with amazing rapidity to produce the many flowers and seeds, after which the plant dies. This long pre-blossom period of a dozen to 15 or more years is the basis for the name “Centuryplant.” If the young flower stalk is cut off, the sweet sap may be collected and fermented to form highly intoxicating beverages, some of which are distilled commercially. Among these are mescal, pulque (POOL-kay), and tequila (tay-KEEL-ah). Indians cut the young bud stalks, and roast them in rock-lined pits. [Illustration: Calochortus kennedyi Calochortus flexuosus] Common names: MARIPOSA, DESERT-MARIPOSA Arizona and California deserts: (_Calochortus kennedyi_). Orange. March-May. Lily family. Size: Perennial, about 2 feet tall. Under favorable weather conditions, this short-stemmed Mariposa presents a gorgeous display of spring color. Closely related to the white-flowered Twisted-stem Mariposa (_C. flexuosus_) and to the Sego-lily (state flower of Utah), the Desert-mariposa is found below 5,000 feet in Nevada, southern California, southern Arizona, and northern Sonora. When growing beneath taller shrubs, it forsakes its short-stemmed habit and forces its way up through the low branches, displaying its blossom above. The Mariposas, of which there are several species, are among the most beautiful wildflowers of the Southwest. ORANGE [Illustration: Eschscholtzia mexicana] Common names: GOLDPOPPY, DESERTPOPPY, (_COPRA-DE-ORO_), MEXICAN POPPY Arizona desert: (_Eschscholtzia mexicana_). Orange. February-May. California desert: (_Eschscholtzia glyptosperma_). Bright yellow. March-May. Poppy family. Size: 3 inches to a foot high, with many flower stems. Because of their abundance and dense growth, following winters of heavy precipitation, these annual poppies often cover portions of the desert with “a cloth of gold.” They are closely related to the well-known California Poppy, state flower of California, and a common border or bedding plant in home flower gardens. In the desert, Goldpoppies are sometimes mixed with Owlclover, Lupines, and other spring flowers forming a multi-colored carpet that attracts visitors from great distances. (See cover.) ORANGE [Illustration: Martynia arenaria] Common names: DEVILSCLAW, UNICORNPLANT, ELEPHANT-TUSKS Arizona desert: (_Martynia parviflora_). Orange-purple. April-October. California desert: (_Martynia altheaefolia_). Coppery yellow. July-September. Texas desert: (_Martynia arenaria_). Coppery yellow. July-September. Martynia family. Size: Trailing, with stems 2 to 5 feet long.