Nolina parryi ssp. wolfii

Wolf's Giant California Bear Grass

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Item #: 6613

Zones: 7b to 10b

Dormancy: Evergreen

Height: 144" tall

Culture: Sun to Part Sun

Origin: United States

Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


This giant California native bear grass hails from mountainous regions of southern California...yes, there are mountains there. Two forms of Nolina parryi were once lumped together, but later separated into Nolina parryi ssp. parryi (the coastal form) and Nolina parryi ssp. wolfii (the mountain form). It later turned out that the plants were different and, since Nolina parryi was originally described from the mountain form, that plant is now simply Nolina parryi. The coastal form now lives under the assumed name of Nolina cismontana but for clarity we still use Nolina parryi ssp. wolfii for the mountain form. Giant California bear grass can be found on dry slopes mainly on the Kern Plateau, where it resides between 3,000' and 6,000' elevation. The tall, yucca-like plants can reach 12' in height, composed of 3/4" wide x 36" long, non-spiny, evergreen leaves. When the plants are old enough to flower, the trunk is topped with a 2' bloom spike of tiny, fragrant white flowers... spectacular!