Blossom on Ponytail Palm

[hbaffes]

Recently my 7' tall Ponytail in a pot threw out a 3' long shoot at the top. I was completely surprised (I had been out of town for a week and it appeared while I was away). Should I leave it to wither in time or remove it? 

Any illumination/explanation about this would be appreciated.

Thanks very much!

[PalmatierMeg]

we need photos. Not being snide but do you know the so-called pony tail "palm" is not a palm nor is closely related to palms (deceptive common names should be banned)? It is a caudiciform succulent that flowers at least yearly. Until I see photos I can't tell you what's going on but flowering is normal for them.

[hbaffes]

Here is my plant that I have always understood to be a Ponytail Palm. As requested, I am curious about the sudden sprout - after about  ten years' growth. I have never seen a sprout from it - frankly, did not know they did sprout. Thanks!

[PalmatierMeg]

"Pony Tail" is a misnomer, another terrible cutesy common name among many. It is a caudiciform succulent, properly named Beaucarnia recurvata. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a moron or a liar. That spike is an inflorescence, i.e., it is flowering, which is totally normal and it will set seeds.

[Fusca]

@hbaffes, I believe Beaucarnia recurvata are dioecious which means there are male plants and female plants so unless yours is female and there's a flowering male nearby you won't get seeds.  If yours is a female and it gets pollinated the flowers will turn reddish orange before producing seed.  There's a massive clump of several male plants in Harlingen that flower every year - but no seeds.   

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