Neha Patil (Editor)

Xerophyllum (plant)

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Kingdom
  
Plantae

Family
  
Melanthiaceae

Higher classification
  
Liliaceae

Order
  
Liliales

Scientific name
  
Xerophyllum

Rank
  
Genus

Xerophyllum (plant) pacificbulbsocietyorgpbswikifilesXerophyllumX

Similar
  
Xerophyllum tenax, Xerophyllum asphodeloides, Melanthiaceae, Liliaceae, Stenanthium

Xerophyllum is a genus of perennial plants from the family Melanthiaceae. The genus is native to North America.

There are two species:

  • Xerophyllum asphodeloides (Pursh) Nutt. - southern Appalachians from Alabama to Maryland; also Delaware + New Jersey
  • Xerophyllum tenax (Pursh) Nutt. - Alberta, British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, Oregon, N + W California

    • Some species formerly placed in this genus have been transferred to others (within the tribe Melanthieae):

  • Xerophyllum gramineum = Stenanthium gramineum (Ker Gawl.) Morong
  • Xerophyllum sabadilla = Schoenocaulon officinale (Schltdl. & Cham.) A.Gray

    • The elongated leaves of X. tenax, commonly known as bear grass, were used for basket weaving by the Native Americans. Xerophyllum asphodeloides also known as turkey's beard is a popular garden plant, producing spikes of white flowers.

    References

    Xerophyllum (plant) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA