Nolina parryi – “Nolina”

Also Known As: Parry’s Nolina, Giant Nolina, Sacahuista, Basketgrass, Parry’s Beargrass
Other Botanical Names: Nolina bigelovii var. parryi
Family: Butcher’s Broom (Ruscaceae)
Bloom Period: May-Jun
Form: Shrub
Habitat: Rocky slopes
Leaves: Linear with pointy tips and saw-toothed edges
Translation: “Nolina” is named for Abbé Pierre Charles Nolin (1717-?), a French agriculturalist and author; “parryi” is named for Charles Christopher Parry (1823-1890), a U.S. naturalist; “bigelovii” is John M. Bigelow, MD, (1804-1878), a U.S. botanical collector.
Notes: This plant is dioecious, meaning the male and female flowers are on different plants. Flower stalks are edible when very young. Human model in photo is about 5’8″ (just under 2 m) tall. Despite the common name, Nolina, this plant’s tall flowering stalk does not always stand up straight.
Native American Uses: The Hualapai ate the fruit and used the fiber to make coil baskets. The Tübatulabal ate the stalks.