Accession Count: 189
Common Name:
bear grass, sacahuista
Family Name:
Asparagaceae
Botanical Name:
Nolina microcarpa
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Nolina microcarpa is an evergreen, perennial clumping grass-like herb, with leaves one to two inches wide that grow up to five feet tall. Yellow, raspy strings sporadically grow off of leaves and small teeth give a rough texture to the leaves. Starting in late spring on through summer, terminal stalks that are typically taller than the leaves grow out of the middle and form greenish-white flowers.Bear grass is pollinated primarily by insects.
Compound:
Nol mic
Geographic Origin:
Desert Southwest
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
N. microcarpa is native to the Southwest Desert in USA . This species can be found in elevations from 3,000 to 6,000 feet (2).
Cultivation Notes:
N. microcarpa, a southwest native, has a high drought tolerance and should only need watering once or twice per month. It prefers rocky, well drained soils and full sun.
Ethnobotany:
Indigenous people have used this tall grass in several different ways. Many parts of the plants are considered edible; the stalk and seeds can be roasted and the buds and flowers can be eaten as well. The primary use of this plant, however, was for weaving textiles. Indigenous cultures harvest the clusters of long, thin, durable leaves in order to make mats, baskets, brooms, and even sandals. In some areas it was also used as a medium for constructing thatched roofs of huts. The sacahuista has landscape value outstanding by itself or in desert landscapes.
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
White
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
- Mielke, Judy. Native Plants for Southwestern Landscapes. University of Texas Press, 1993.
- public.asu.edu
