Common Beargrass
Xerophyllum tenax
brewbooks (www.flickr.com) from near Seattle, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Melanthiaceae
- Genus:
- Xerophyllum
- Species:
- Xerophyllum tenax
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Native Range
Canada, United States
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- elk, deer, mountain goats, rodents, birds
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Vigorously resprouts from rhizomes after fire. Often increases in abundance following burns and is considered a fire-adapted species in montane and subalpine ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Common in open woods and clearings
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Germination can be erratic and slow. Seeds require cold stratification and may take several months to germinate.
Propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are imbibed in distilled water for 10 minutes and placed in fine mesh bags buried in moist peat moss under refrigeration at 34 to 37°F. Seeds require around 120 days of cool, moist stratification to break dormancy and begin germination.
Establishment: Dormancy breaking is reported to be more difficult with other seed sources (Pacific Coast) and may require combinations of warm, moist stratification and cold, moist chilling. Seeds are collected in late August and early September when capsules turn tan and open.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C 6 wks then 4C 6 wks then slowly raise to 10C 6 wks. Repeat if no germination.