1. Plant of western North America having woody rhizomes and tufts of stiff grasslike basal leaves and spikes of creamy white flowers
   "Bear grass dotted the alpine meadow";
   - squaw grass, Xerophyllum tenax
    
2. Yucca of southern United States having a clump of basal grasslike leaves and a central stalk with a terminal raceme of small whitish flowers
   "Bear grass is an important fibre plant for indigenous crafts";
   - Yucca smalliana
    
3. Yucca of west central United States having a clump of basal grasslike leaves and a central stalk with a terminal raceme of small whitish flowers
   "Bear grass bloomed profusely after the forest fire";
   - Yucca glauca
    
4. Stemless plant with tufts of grasslike leaves and erect panicle of minute creamy white flowers; southwestern United States and Mexico
   "Bear grass thrives in the desert climate";
   - Nolina microcarpa

Derived forms: bear grasses

Type of: agave, American aloe, century plant, liliaceous plant, yucca

Part of: genus Nolina, genus Xerophyllum, Nolina, Xerophyllum

Encyclopedia: Bear grass