Nolina sp.
Beargrass, Beargrass
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Family: Ruscaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Nolina sp. (Beargrass) is a native California perennial in the Ruscaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Hesperoyucca: Nolina leaves are flexible and grass-like; Hesperoyucca leaves are rigid bayonets with sharp spine tips.; vs Yucca: Nolina has narrow flexible leaves and small clustered flowers; Yucca has stiff spine-tipped leaves and large bell flowers.; vs Dasylirion: Nolina leaves have smooth margins; Dasylirion leaves have small teeth along the edges.; vs Dietes: Nolina has tiny cream flowers in dense clusters; Dietes has large white iris flowers with yellow markings.; vs Lomandra: Nolina grows as large shrub clumps; Lomandra forms smaller grass-like tufts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nolina sp. native to California?
Yes. Nolina sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Nolina sp. belong to?
Nolina sp. is in the Ruscaceae family, genus Nolina.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Nolina bigelovii — Bigelow's nolina
- Nolina cismontana — Chaparral nolina
- Nolina interrata — Dehesa nolina
- Nolina parryi — Parry's beargrass
- Ruscaceae sp. — Butcher's-broom family
- Maianthemum dilatatum — False lily of the valley
- Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule
- Maianthemum sp. — False lily-of-the-valley
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.