[pbs] Ixiolirion & Xerophyllum tenax
Jane McGary
janemcgary at earthlink.net
Thu Jun 26 19:23:02 EDT 2008
Iain asked about Xerophyllum tenax, commonly known as "beargrass." Though
not a bulbous plant and not a geophyte, it is often discussed along with
the bulbous monocots.
This plant is widespread in the American West, usually growing above the
winter snow line in conifer woodland and clearings. It tolerates some shade
but flowers best after the tree cover is removed by fire, logging, or
windstorms. It is very slow-growing from seed and might take as long as 12
years to flower. It grows in rocky soils of mostly volcanic origin where
there is very good drainage. It is usually wet in fall, snow-covered in
winter, wet in spring, and very dry in summer. It is rarely seen in
gardens, even in my area where it is indigenous at higher elevations.
Some populations of Xerophyllum are threatened by the collection of the
foliage for the florist industry, for which it is shipped worldwide.
Jane McGary
Northwestern Oregon, USA
More information about the pbs
mailing list