bear grass

[bair gras]

noun

1. Also called elk grass. a tall, western North American plant, Xerophyllum tenax, of the lily family, having narrow leaves and a dense, broad cluster of tiny white flowers.

2. any of several other plants having linear, grasslike leaves, as those of the genera Nolina and Dasylirion.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bear grass¹

An Americanism dating back to 1740–50