Nolina erumpens, commonly known as Foothill Beargrass, is an evergreen subshrub native to arid environments such as slopes, ridges, rocky outcrops, and canyons, primarily found in the Chihuahuan Desert region extending from western Texas to Mexico. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) with a similar spread. The plant forms a dense rosette of narrow, grass-like leaves that can reach up to 3 feet in length, providing a unique texture in the landscape. The inflorescences are club-shaped and generally do not exceed the length of the leaves, bearing numerous tiny, cream-colored flowers. Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer, and the blooms are known to attract pollinators such as ants, wasps, and bees.

Foothill Beargrass is valued for its drought tolerance and architectural form, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping, rock gardens, and desert-themed landscapes. It is also used as an accent plant or in mass plantings for erosion control on slopes. This plant thrives in full sun and requires very low amounts of water once established, making it an ideal candidate for water-wise gardening. It prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate poor, rocky substrates. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0