Bloomipedia
Common beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax)
Photo: Seig via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Common beargrass

Xerophyllum tenax

Common beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax) is a flowering plant in the Melanthiaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly May–July across the U.S.

Native in the lower 48

Common beargrass is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 4 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in May–July.

6states where USDA records it
4Bloomipedia state lists include it
10,175U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington

Quick look

Xerophyllum tenax is a species of plants in the corn lily family. It is known by several common names, including bear grass, soap grass, quip-quip, and Indian basket grass. Beargrass can grow to be a little over 1.2 metres (4 ft) tall when in a preferred habitat and ideal conditions. The plant typically blooms at irregular intervals, depending on environmental factors such as moisture and temperature.

  • It belongs to the Melanthiaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 6 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho. NatureServe
  • In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–August. iNaturalist
  • In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as summer. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 5 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 3,485 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #49 among the 187 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 2,720 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #57 among the 184 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 2,217 research-grade sightings of it in Montana, ranking #2 among the 128 flowers on our Montana list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,155 records)
Bloom time in the 4 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
WashingtonNativeMay–August3,485
OregonNativeMay–July2,720
MontanaNativeJune–July2,217
IdahoNativefew records (47)507

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Washington
No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
Oregon
Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
Montana
No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Montana.
Idaho
No list Idaho has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Idaho ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Idaho.
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: WY (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records common beargrass in 6 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming.

Washington counties with USDA records: Clallam, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, King, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Pend Oreille, Pierce, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Yakima.

Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Wasco.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Common beargrass a medium shade tolerance, medium drought tolerance and low moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.5 to 7.2 and winter lows down to 7 °F.

Shade tolerance
Medium
Drought tolerance
Medium
Moisture use
Low
Soil textures it is adapted to
coarse, medium
Soil pH range
5.5 to 7.2
Minimum temperature tolerated
7 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
120
Annual precipitation range
19 to 69 inches
Minimum root depth
6 inches
Salinity tolerance
None
Fertility requirement
Low
Growth rate
Rapid
Lifespan
Short
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Black · Summer to Fall
Can be propagated by
seed
Commercial availability
Field Collections Only

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for XETE. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Helonias tenax.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 58 counties across 5 states; the most are in Oregon (20), California (13), Washington (13).

More from the Melanthiaceae family (18 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Pacific trillium, Large white trillium, Red trillium, Painted trillium, Green false hellebore, Prairie trillium, Corn lily, Fremont's death camas.

More Washington flowers

Pacific trillium (Trillium ovatum)

Pacific trillium

Trillium ovatum

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: March–May
Green false hellebore (Veratrum viride)

Green false hellebore

Veratrum viride

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: July–August
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)

Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: March–May

Sources