Bloomipedia
Sacahuista (Nolina microcarpa)
Photo: CK2AZ via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Sacahuista

Nolina microcarpa

Sacahuista (Nolina microcarpa) is a shrub in the Asparagaceae family, native in the lower 48 states.

Native to Arizona

Sacahuista is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states.

3states where USDA records it
1,539AZ sightings*
1,817U.S. sightings*

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

On our lists for: Arizona

Quick look

Nolina microcarpa is a species of flowering plant in the asparagus family known by the common names sacahuista and palmilla. Like other species of Nolina, it may be called beargrass. It is native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States in Arizona and New Mexico.

  • It belongs to the Asparagaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 3 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Arizona. NatureServe
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as mid spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 4 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 1,539 research-grade sightings of it in Arizona, ranking #59 among the 132 flowers on our Arizona list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month in Arizona (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (20 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G4 Apparently secure worldwide. NatureServe
Arizona
Not listed Not on Arizona Native Plant Law protected plants (Ariz. Admin. Code R3-3 Art. 11, App. A, eff. Feb. 2, 2025). NatureServe: S5, secure in Arizona. AAC R3-3 App. A
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: UT (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 peopleToxic (slight, per USDA)

USDA PLANTS rates its toxicity as “slight.” (USDA's rating covers people and livestock and doesn't say which parts.) NC State Extension has no page for it. USDA PLANTS

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list. For context only: ASPCA lists a related species, Nolina tuberculata (“Bottle Palm 2”), as non-toxic to dogs and cats. That doesn't tell us about this species, so keep pets away to be safe. ASPCA

🌿 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 sacahuista in 3 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Arizona, New Mexico, Utah.

Arizona counties with USDA records: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Santa Cruz, Yavapai.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Sacahuista a high shade tolerance, high drought tolerance and low moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 6.5 to 9.5 and winter lows down to 14 °F.

Shade tolerance
High
Drought tolerance
High
Moisture use
Low
Soil textures it is adapted to
coarse
Soil pH range
6.5 to 9.5
Minimum temperature tolerated
14 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
280
Annual precipitation range
7 to 14 inches
Minimum root depth
20 inches
Salinity tolerance
Low
Fertility requirement
Low
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifespan
Long
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Brown · Spring to Summer
Can be propagated by
container
Commercial availability
Field Collections Only

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

Names, range and relatives

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 21 counties across 3 states; the most are in Arizona (11), New Mexico (9), Utah (1).

More from the Asparagaceae family (34 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Yuccas, Solomon's plume (false Solomon's seal), Canada mayflower, Blue dicks, Common star-of-Bethlehem, Star-flowered lily-of-the-valley, Chaparral yucca, Mojave yucca.

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Sources