squaw grass

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squaw grass

A hiker admires a patch of squaw grass blooming on a sunny hillside.

Definition

Noun 1. A perennial plant of western North America: A plant characterized by woody rhizomes, tufts of stiff, grass-like basal leaves, and spikes of creamy white flowers. It is a member of the lily family.

Usage
  • The term "squaw grass" is a specific common name for this plant species. It is used in botanical contexts and regional descriptions of North American flora.
  • Note on Usage: The word "squaw" is considered an offensive and derogatory term toward Indigenous women. Its use in plant names (and in general) is increasingly avoided. The preferred and more respectful common name for this plant is beargrass ().
Examples
  • The hillside was covered in blooming squaw grass.
  • Squaw grass, or beargrass, is often found in subalpine meadows.
Advanced Usage
  • The stiff, durable leaves of this plant were traditionally used by Indigenous peoples for weaving baskets and other items.
Variants and Related Words
  • Beargrass: The strongly preferred and non-offensive common name for the same plant ().
  • Xerophyllum tenax: The scientific botanical name for the species.
Synonyms
  • Beargrass
  • Turkey beard
  • Elk grass (regional)
squaw grass

A hiker admires a patch of squaw grass blooming on a sunny hillside.

Noun
  1. plant of western North America having woody rhizomes and tufts of stiff grasslike basal leaves and spikes of creamy white flowers

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