Melanthiaceae FAMILY

Xerophyllum tenax

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

The finely toothed edges of leaves can cut unprotected hands[ 277 Title Plants Database Publication Author Website http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet Publisher United States Department of Agriculture Year 0 ISBN Description An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants. ].

Botanical Description

Xerophyllum tenax is an evergreen perennial plant growing from stout, tuberous, woody rhizomes. Tussocks of grass-like leaves up to 90cm long are produced, from which grow erect, unbranched flowering stems up to 180cm tall[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. , 277 Title Plants Database Publication Author Website http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet Publisher United States Department of Agriculture Year 0 ISBN Description An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants. ]. The leaves were one of the most widely used and highly desirable materials for weaving baskets in northern California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Columbia Plateau and are still ommonly gathered. Leaves were often used as an article of trade with other tribes[ 277 Title Plants Database Publication Author Website http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet Publisher United States Department of Agriculture Year 0 ISBN Description An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants. ]. The plant was also harvested for food and medicines. It is often grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeWestern N. America - British Columbia to Alberta, south to California

HabitatOpen coniferous woods, dry ridges, rocky slopes, and clearings; at elevations from sea level to 2,300 metres[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. Moist places in open woods and clearings, at elevations from sea level to 2,100 metres[ 1 Title RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Publication Author F. Chittendon. Publisher Oxford University Press Year 1951 ISBN - Description Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]). , 60 Title Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Publication Author Hitchcock. C. L. Publisher University of Washington Press Year 1955 ISBN - Description A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader. ].