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Beargrass
Xerophyllum tenax (Pursh) Nutt.
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Family: Liliaceae,
Lily
Genus: Xerophyllum
Description
General: robust, evergreen perennial, flowering stems
erect, 50-150 cm tall, from short rhizomes, 1-2 cm thick.
 Leaves: mainly basal, in large clumps, grass-like, tough
and wiry, 15-60 cm long and 1.5-4 mm broad, with sharp,
finely toothed edges. Stem leaves alternate, similar to the
basal but much shorter.
 Flowers: white, fragrant, many in a terminal cluster that
is at first short, cone-shaped, but elongating to as much
as 50 cm tall, club-shaped or bottle-brush-like, in late
flower. Flower stalks slender, 2.5-5 cm long. The 6 tepals
oblong, distinct, mostly 6-8 mm long. Stamens as long as
or exceeding the tepals. Styles proper scarcely 1 mm
long, the 3 branches curved back, about 3 mm long,
stigmatic the full length.
Flowering time: June-August.
 Fruits: capsules, 5-7 mm long, dry, oval, strongly
3-lobed, the seeds 2-6 per compartment.
Distribution
Drier, open woods and clearings, montane to subalpine
zone, in w. and c. parts of MT. Also from s.e. B.C. and
s.w. Alberta to CA and ID.
 Medicinal plant, see below.
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(click on image for full size)
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(click on images for full size)
Medicinal Uses:
Beargrass was used for medicinal purposes by the Blackfoot Indians. A decoction of grated roots was used
as and orthopedic aid for breaks and sprains. Roots were washed and rubbed to make a lather and used to
wash sores. A poultice of chewed roots was applied to wounds.
Other Uses:
This species was long used by Native Americans who wove it into baskets. Baskets from this plant have
also been used for cooking food in. Its fibrous leaves, which turn from green to white as they dry, are
tough, durable, and easily dyed and manipulated into tight waterproof weaves. The dried and bleached leaves
have also been used for weaving into hats and capes.
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