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Latin Name: |
Xerophyllum tenax |
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Common Name(s): |
Bear-grass, Indian Basket Grass, Elk-grass, Basket-grass, Squaw Grass, Turkey Beard |
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Family Name: |
Lily |
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Size: |
2-4 feet |
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Flower Size: |
Extremely long, up to 3 feet |
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Flower Shape: |
Elongated Cluster |
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Color(s): |
White/Cream ( |
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Description: |
Large showy snow-cone like balls of small creamy white flowers. Basal leaves are grass like. Flowers are saucer shaped, fragrant, and arranged in a dense rounded cluster atop a long stalk. |
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Tidbits: |
Bear-grass is extremely tasty -- bears love its tender roots and young leaves, the mountain goat loves is stiff basal leaves, and everything else is munched on by rodents and browsing animals. Bear-grass frequents ski-slopes during the summer. Northwest Indians dried and bleached Bear-grass for weaving. |
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Ecology: |
Open, dry areas from near sea level all the way to subalpine. More common at higher elevations. |
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Blooming Season: |
May-August |
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Related Flowers: |
Camas, Hellebores, Solomon Plume, False Lily-of-the-valley |
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Similar Flowers: |
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