Plants in genus nolina
Nolina parviflora
Nolina parviflora, a species of bear grass from Mexico, resembles a ponytail palm with its long, narrow, weeping foliage. It grows up to 12 feet tall and produces a 4-foot spike of white flowers. This drought-tolerant plant is an architectural multi-trunked specimen, perfect for adding elegance to gardens.
Nolina lindheimeriana
Nolina lindheimeriana, also known as Texas bear grass, is an evergreen native to Texas named after botanist Jacob Lindheimer. It features stiff green leaves and, when mature, produces 3-foot spikes of tiny white flowers in late spring. This drought-tolerant plant is ideal for xeriscaping and rock gardens.
Nolina beldingii
Nolina beldingii, known as Cape nolina or Belding's beargrass, is a perennial flowering plant resembling a dwarf pampas grass. Endemic to Baja California Sur in Mexico, it grows in oak forests at elevations over 1,000 meters. This plant features narrow leaves used for thatching and a paniculate inflorescence.
Nolina texana
Nolina texana, related to yucca, resembles an evergreen ornamental grass and is native to the south-central United States and Northern Mexico. It produces small white flowers on 3-foot spikes in spring and is well-suited for xeriscape or native plant gardens. This plant thrives in alkaline soil with good drainage and is winter hardy in USDA zones 7 to 11.
Nolina parryi
Nolina parryi, commonly known as bear grass, is a native plant of California, Baja California, and Arizona, resembling a yucca with its long, non-spiny evergreen foliage. It features a tall trunk and a plume-like inflorescence of tiny white flowers in late spring. This plant is dioecious, with separate male and female plants, and is found in desert and mountainous regions. Historically, its young stems were consumed by Native Americans, and its leaves were used for basket weaving. Nolina parryi thrives in sunny, well-drained locations and can grow up to 6 feet tall.
Nolina erumpens
Nolina erumpens, native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, is a resilient plant resembling an upside-down green porcupine. It features pliable green leaves and club-shaped inflorescences that attract pollinators like ants and bees. This plant thrives in hot, dry, rocky environments and can form a wide rosette over time.
Nolina bigelovii
Nolina bigelovii, commonly known as beargrass, is a flowering plant native to the dry desert areas of the Southwestern United States and northwest Mexico. It features a trunk-like stem that can exceed 6 feet in length, with semi-stiff, shreddy leaves arranged in rosettes. The plant's inflorescence can reach up to 13 feet in height, showcasing small flowers with six whitish tepals. This species thrives in harsh desert conditions and is prevalent along the Lower Colorado River Valley. Its blue-green foliage and impressive size make it a distinctive addition to xeriscaping projects.
Nolina cespitifera
Nolina cespitifera is a trunkless clump-forming plant with evergreen leaves that can reach up to 4 feet in length. This drought-tolerant perennial is native to Mexico and is well-suited for xeriscaping and rock gardens. It thrives in sunny locations and is known for its ability to attract insects, adding ecological value to its ornamental appeal. Nolina cespitifera's unique form and resilience make it a standout choice for gardeners looking to create a low-maintenance, water-wise landscape.
Nolina microcarpa
Nolina microcarpa, also known as bear grass, is a large, clumping species native to northern Mexico, Arizona, and New Mexico. It features evergreen, grass-like leaves that can reach nearly 36 inches in length and produces tiny white flowers in spring. The plant is dominant in desert grasslands and chaparral, resprouting after wildfires. It provides food for wildlife but is toxic to some livestock.
Nolina georgiana
Nolina georgiana, a native bear grass of the southeastern US, forms small clumps with narrow, pencil-thin rigid evergreen foliage. It produces 4-5 foot spikes of tiny white flowers in late spring. This plant is ideal for adding texture to garden landscapes.
Nolina greenei 'San Miguel'
Nolina greenei 'San Miguel' is a North American native bear grass that grows in rocky, alkaline grasslands and open pine-oak woods. It forms a 3-foot tall by 5-foot wide clump of stiff evergreen foliage with wider leaves edged with fine tiny teeth. In mid-late spring, it produces airy clusters of small white flowers. This plant is drought-tolerant and well-suited for xeriscaping, adding texture and interest to landscapes.
Nolina palmeri
Nolina palmeri, also known as Mexican bear grass, is a rare arborescent plant native to the rocky mountain slopes of Baja California, Mexico. It grows at elevations around 8,000 feet and features leaves edged with miniature saw-like teeth. This plant is well-suited for rock gardens and xeriscaping due to its drought tolerance and evergreen nature. Its unique form and resilience make it an intriguing addition to gardens in suitable climates.
Nolina microcarpa 'Corduroy Creek'
Nolina microcarpa 'Corduroy Creek' is a desert native plant with long, narrow, evergreen leaves. It forms a 6-foot wide specimen and produces 5-foot tall flower stalks with tiny white flowers in spring. This drought-tolerant plant is well-suited for rock gardens and xeriscaping.
Nolina arenicola
Nolina arenicola is a rare bear grass endemic to the Trans-Pecos region of Texas, forming a large evergreen clump up to 6 feet tall. It produces 3-foot tall panicles of tiny white flowers in May and June, making it a suitable ornamental grass substitute for dry, sandy regions.
Nolina microcarpa 'Oak Creek'
Nolina microcarpa 'Oak Creek', also known as bear grass, is a robust plant native to the southwestern deserts of the United States. This large, clumping species is particularly hardy, thriving at high altitudes and in arid conditions. Its long, narrow, evergreen leaves can grow up to 36 inches, forming a specimen that can reach 6 feet in width. In spring, it produces flower stalks up to 5 feet tall, adorned with tiny white flowers. This plant is well-suited for rock gardens and xeriscaping due to its drought tolerance and deer resistance. Its adaptability to sun and its evergreen nature make it a valuable addition to any garden seeking a touch of the desert.
Nolina nelsonii
Nolina nelsonii, native to Tamaulipas, Mexico, is a drought-tolerant plant resembling a giant ponytail palm. It features bluish-green leaves with finely toothed margins and dense rosettes. This plant is cold-hardy to at least 10°F and develops a trunk up to several meters high. It produces a white-flowered inflorescence in spring and is ideal for xeriscaping and rock gardens.