Nolina parryi (Parry's beargrass, Parry nolina, or giant nolina) is a flowering plant that is native to Baja California, southern California and Arizona.

Description

It can exceed 2 m in height, its inflorescence reaching 4 m. The trunk is up to 60 cm in diameter. The leaves are borne in dense rosettes, each with up to 220 stiff linear leaves up to 140 cm long and 2-4 cm broad. It is dioecious, with separate male and female plants; the flowers are white, about 6 mm wide, produced on the 60 cm tall plume-like inflorescence from April to June.

Distribution and habitat

Native to Baja California, southern California and Arizona, the species can be found in deserts and mountains at altitudes of up to 2100 m.

Uses

Native Americans consumed the young stems and wove the leaves into baskets.