Xerophyllum

Plant Characteristics

Cultivation

Scientific Names

Read about Xerophyllum in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Xerophyllum (Greek, dry leaf). Liliaceae. Turkey's Beard. Tall subaquatic hardy perennial herbs not extensively in cultivation. Rhizome short, thick and woody: sts. erect, tall, simple: lvs. radical or grouped at base of st., long-linear, rather stiff, margin scabrous; cauline lvs. sparse, much smaller: fls. white, numerous, in a terminal raceme; perianth withering, persistent, segms. distinct, oblong or lanceolate; stamens 6; ovary sessile, 3-grooved, obtuse, 3-celled: caps. subglobose, or short-oblong, 3-grooved, loculicidally dehiscent.—Three species, N. Amer. Watson, in Proc. Am. Acad. 14:284. The turkey's beard of the eastern states (X. asphodeloides) is a strong herb, 3 to 4 feet high, resembling asphodel. It has a dense tuft of numerous long, wiry leaves from the center of which springs a stately shaft sometimes 5 feet high, with an oval or oblong raceme 6 inches long, crowded with yellowish white 6-parted flowers, each 1/4 inch across. It blooms from May to July, flowers with delicate fragrance lasting a long time. The species is a native of the dry pine barrens from southern New Jersey to eastern Tennessee and Georgia. The chief species of the Pacific coast, X. tenax, has white and violet flowers, the latter color supplied by the stamens. Each region should cultivate its own species. The forms are too much alike for the same garden. A third species, X. Douglasii, Wats., is a rare plant ranging from Montana to Oregon. It is distinguished by its six-valved capsule and is said to be inferior as a garden plant to the other species. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

? Xerophyllum
Xerophyllum tenax
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Liliales Family: Melanthiaceae Genus: Xerophyllum Michx.
Genera
See text.

Xerophyllum is a genus of perennial lily from the family Melanthiaceae. The genus is native to North America, and has only four species.

Species include:

• Xerophyllum asphodeloides
• Xerophyllum douglasii
• Xerophyllum setifolium
• Xerophyllum tenax

The long leaves of X. tenax, commonly know as bear grass, were used for basket weaving by the Native Americans. X. asphodeloides also known as Turkey's Beard is a popular garden plant, producing spikes of white flowers.