Bear grass, East Glacier National Park: Montana (plant colonies typically only grow every five to seven years)

Bear Grass, East Glacier National Park: Montana (other interesting fact: Xerophyllum tenax is an important part of the fire ecology of regions where it is native. It has rhizomes which survive fire that clears dead and dying plant matter from the surface of the ground. The plant thrives with periodic burns and is often the first plant to sprout in a scorched area. The fibrous leaves are also used in basket weaving.)