Xerophyllum tenax

(Pursh) Nuttall

Gen. N. Amer. Pl. 1: 235. 1818.

Common names: Bear-grass squaw-grass elk-grass Indian-basket-grass
IllustratedEndemic
Basionym: Helonias tenax Pursh Fl. Amer. Sept. 1: 243, plate 9. 1814
Synonyms: Xerophyllum douglasii S. Watson
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 72. Mentioned on page 70, 71, 185.

Stems (0.8–)1.2–1.8(–2) m. Leaf blade 2–8(–10) dm × 2–4(–6) mm. Racemes 5–7 dm. Tepals oblong to lanceolate, 6–9 × 2–3 mm; styles 4 mm. Capsules 5–7 mm. Seeds 4 per locule. 2n = 30.


Phenology: Flowering spring–early summer.
Habitat: Open coniferous woods, dry ridges, rocky slopes, and clearings
Elevation: 0–2300 m

Distribution

V26 51-distribution-map.jpg

Alta., B.C., Calif., Idaho, Mont., Oreg., Wash., Wyo.

Discussion

Xerophyllum tenax, variable in plant and flower size, is without evident geographic races (S. M. Maule 1959). Similar in most respects to X. asphodeloides but more robust, X. tenax typically has twice the number of flowers (F. H. Utech 1978c). The leaf fibers were used by native tribes for garments and decorative, watertight baskets. The bulbous rhizomes were roasted for several days before being eaten.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Xerophyllum tenax"
Frederick H. Utech +
(Pursh) Nuttall +
Helonias tenax +
Bear-grass +, squaw-grass +, elk-grass +  and Indian-basket-grass +
Alta. +, B.C. +, Calif. +, Idaho +, Mont. +, Oreg. +, Wash. +  and Wyo. +
0–2300 m +
Open coniferous woods, dry ridges, rocky slopes, and clearings +
Flowering spring–early summer. +
Gen. N. Amer. Pl. +
maule1959a +
Illustrated +  and Endemic +
Xerophyllum douglasii +
Xerophyllum tenax +
Xerophyllum +
species +