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.

Origin of bear grass

1
An Americanism dating back to 1740–50

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024