A rare “sheep-eating” plant has flowered at a school for the first time in Hampshire after it was planted around a decade ago.

With a unique three-mere spike, the Puya Chilensis, which is usually found in the Andes region in Chile, is ready to flower imminently in an award-winning school garden at Wicor Primary School, Hampshire, which opens for the National Garden Scheme. 

Louise Moreton, horticulturalist at Wicor Primary in Portchester said: “It is a rare occurrence for it to flower outside in the UK.

“The plant is dubbed a ‘sheep-eating’ plant due to its deadly features. It is not actually carnivorous, but the plant is believed to be hazardous to sheep and birds which may become entangled in the spines of the leaves.”

Fibres from the leaves of the Puya Chilensis are used to weave durable fishing-nets, with some plants taking as long as 20 years to flower.

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Louise added: “It is rare for this plant to flower outside in the UK, but the recent hot and dry weather is probably what has triggered this rare occurrence.

“It’s a real example for the pupils who care for the gardens, to see climate change so visibly in action.” 

 Wicor Primary School Community Garden, Portchester, opens for the National Garden Scheme on Sunday, June 22.