Common Beargrass

Xerophyllum tenax (Pursh) Nutt. - Lily family

Size

Mature Height: Up to around 5.0 feet

Plant Type: Forb/herb

Root Depth: 6 inches

Growth Form: Rhizomatous

Growth Rate: Rapid

Features

Flower Color: White

Conspicuous Flowers: Yes

Bloom Time: Summer

Seasonal Growth: Spring and Summer

Evergreen: No

Fall Colors: No

Conditions

Shade Tolerance: Intermediate

Clay Soil Tolerance: No

Sandy Soil Tolerance: Yes

Drought Tolerance: Medium

Flood Tolerance: None

Fire Tolerance: High

Salt Tolerance: None

Ecosystem Interactions

Pollinators: Beetles, Wasps, Flies; Moths

Native Range

  • CAN:  Alberta, British Columbia
  • USA:  California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming
Regional Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

State-level native status is based on data available through Plants of the World Online. Regional Native Status comes from the USDA Plants Database. For more detailed native status information, please refer to BONAP.