Scientific Name: Nolina microcarpa
Common Name: Bear Grass
Family: Asparagaceae
Duration: Perennial
Size: Up to 6 feet more or less.
Growth Form: Shrub, subshrub; plants with Yucca-like growth; plants erect to spreading; acaulescent; large woody caudex; forms clumps up to 6½ feet in diameter; plant variation can be substantial.
Leaves: Green; grass-like, narrow linear leaves from a basal rosette, leaves to 3 or 4 long, about ¼ to ½ inch wide, fibrous, wiry, thick; margins mostly serrulate.
Flower Color: White; flowers in dense open clusters; sepals and petals similar in size and shape and collectively known as (tepals); inflorescence paniculate; flowers dioecious; fruit a 3-sided capsule.
Flowering Season: May to June or later.
Threatened/Endangered Information: In North America Nolina microcarpa is listed as "Salvage Restricted, Harvest Restricted"; by the state of Arizona.
Comments: The species is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants; occasionally there are flowers with both male and female parts functional.
