looking for a tree!

balder

hey,
Im new on the site.
I saw a great documentary about wildlife in the desert on television for several months ago. I would really like to know more about a specific tree that appeared in that documentary!

the tree had a few remarkable characteristics;

• firstly, it was situated in a dry landscape.. Im guessing south america.
  
• secondly, it looked more like a plant in its developing years, with big and lush green leaves, unusual for the area.
  
• thirdly, it remained this way for many years (in between 50-100 years I think), untill it finally grew to its full size (I remember it as pretty big) in less then a year!
  
• finally, it bloomed only once, nurturing all the animals in its surroundings for a few months, before dying.

can anybody help me to identify this tree? would be most grateful.
thank you

Steve Galehouse

Sounds like an Agave, perhaps Agave americana, century plant---has a lush basal rosette of succulent leaves for many years, eventually sending up a towering flower stalk that looks tree-like.

balder

amazing stuff, thank you thank you thank you thank you.