# common beargrass (*Xerophyllum tenax*) Common beargrass is a tall plant with long, grassy leaves and beautiful white flowers. It grows in sunny places and can be found in many forests and meadows. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Forests ![common beargrass](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Xerophyllum_tenax_-_Glacier_National_Park.jpg&width=800) Photo: NPS Photo, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Xerophyllum_tenax_-_Glacier_National_Park.jpg) ## Appearance The common beargrass has stiff, grass-like leaves that form dense clumps, often growing up to a meter tall. In summer, it shoots up a tall stalk topped with a dense cluster of creamy-white, star-shaped flowers, making it stand out brightly in mountain meadows. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Liliales - **Family:** Melanthiaceae - **Genus:** Xerophyllum ## Interesting facts - It only blooms every few years, but when it does, it produces thousands of tiny flowers! - It's not a true grass; it's a member of the lily family, despite its grassy appearance! - Its tall white flower stalks can sometimes grow taller than an adult person! - The plant was named 'beargrass' because bears are sometimes seen foraging near it! ## Special abilities - **Fire Rescuer:** Common beargrass can survive wildfires by resprouting from its deep rhizomes, helping it quickly recover and thrive in burned areas. - **Water Wizard:** It has tough, waxy leaves and deep roots to conserve water, letting it survive in dry, sunny mountain habitats for a long time. - **Weaving Wonder:** Its incredibly strong, fibrous leaves were historically used by indigenous peoples for crafting durable baskets, mats, and clothing. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 50-150 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Western Bumblebee (*Bombus occidentalis*) — visits flowers to collect nectar and pollen - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — occasionally browses its tough, fibrous leaves - **Depends on:** American Black Bear (*Ursus americanus*) — may dig up and eat the starchy rhizomes - **Eaten by:** [Elk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elk) (*Cervus elaphus*) — sometimes feeds on its foliage in mountain meadows ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Grass-Like](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grass-like): Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Fiber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fiber): This human use trait identifies species that yield natural fibers, used by humans for textiles, rope, paper, and other manufactured goods. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch wild plants unless an adult says it's safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify common beargrass? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is common beargrass? 50-150 cm ### How wide does common beargrass spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on common beargrass? 0.5-1 cm ### When does common beargrass bloom? Late spring to summer ### Is common beargrass edible? No ### Is common beargrass toxic? None ### What is common beargrass's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Cut Bank Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cut-bank-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Great Northern Railway Buildings](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-northern-railway-buildings) — Montana, US · Historic Site - [Sherburne Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sherburne-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Belly River Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belly-river-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Cushman Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cushman-dam) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [Headquarters Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/headquarters-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District [View all places to see common beargrass](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-beargrass) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Common Beargrass: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-beargrass)