bear grass
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Xerophyllum tenax
Perennial Flower, member of the lily family An unusual and classic flower of the Montana mountains. They can be found among wooded stretches and in open meadows. Each flower only blooms every 5-7 years, so some years an area will be covered in bear grass and other years there will be very little to be seen. These flowers bloom from late June through July. |
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DESCRIPTION:
Flower
Flowers are white to cream and of very unusual structure. Each petals juts out from the stem, ending in a star-like pattern. Each flower has hundreds of petals. All the petals together form a flower-head which is shaped either like a microphone or a breast. Some have "nipples" pointing out of the top of the flower-head.
Flowers are white to cream and of very unusual structure. Each petals juts out from the stem, ending in a star-like pattern. Each flower has hundreds of petals. All the petals together form a flower-head which is shaped either like a microphone or a breast. Some have "nipples" pointing out of the top of the flower-head.
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WHOLE PLANT:
Stem
The stems are long, straight and woody. They have long hairs hanging off of them.
Stem
The stems are long, straight and woody. They have long hairs hanging off of them.
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Leaves
A dull olive green. Grass-like bunches which dot the hillsides. Multiple stems grow out of each bunch.
Root
Woody and tuber-like rhizome. The roots grow to be multiple feet underground, which helps the plant regrow after wildfires.
Off-Season Looks
In the off season the mounds of grass are noticeable along the forest floor. They puff up with dead grass which eventually is replaced by the new growth.
A dull olive green. Grass-like bunches which dot the hillsides. Multiple stems grow out of each bunch.
Root
Woody and tuber-like rhizome. The roots grow to be multiple feet underground, which helps the plant regrow after wildfires.
Off-Season Looks
In the off season the mounds of grass are noticeable along the forest floor. They puff up with dead grass which eventually is replaced by the new growth.
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WHERE TO FIND IT:
Most commonly found in the mountains, along hillsides or in meadows. Each grassy clump of leaves flowers only every seven years, so each year varies as to the abundance of bear grass flowers present. Some years whole mountains are covered with them, other years they are sparse and sporadic.
Most commonly found in the mountains, along hillsides or in meadows. Each grassy clump of leaves flowers only every seven years, so each year varies as to the abundance of bear grass flowers present. Some years whole mountains are covered with them, other years they are sparse and sporadic.
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WHEN TO FIND IT:
In our area, bear grass starts to bloom in early June and blooms through mid-July. It is a late spring/early summer bloomer. The tufts of grass-like leaves can be found in the spring, summer and fall. In the late summer and fall you will see the stalks (stems) still sticking out of the grass-like clumps without their flowers on them.
In our area, bear grass starts to bloom in early June and blooms through mid-July. It is a late spring/early summer bloomer. The tufts of grass-like leaves can be found in the spring, summer and fall. In the late summer and fall you will see the stalks (stems) still sticking out of the grass-like clumps without their flowers on them.