Xerophyllum asphodeloides (L.) Nutt.

Locations ofXerophyllum asphodeloides (L.) Nutt. in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Xerophyllaceae
Botanical Name
Xerophyllum asphodeloides (L.) Nutt.
Common Name
Turkeybeard, Beargrass
Synonym(s)
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Xerophyllum asphodeloides (L.) Nutt.
Comments
Sterile plants resemble tussocks of a bunchgrass, but the leaf bases are white and flattened. The leaves remain green throughout the winter. Fire and canopy-opening disturbances such as southern pine beetle outbreaks often stimulate episodic flowering events in populations of this species.
Habitat
Dry, often rocky ridges, in oak/heath forests, pine-oak/heath woodlands, and clearings; associated with extremely acidic, xeric sites subject (at least historically) to frequent fires. Frequent and locally common in the mountains except absent from far sw. and far nw. Virginia; rare in the Piedmont.
Native Status
Native

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