Bear Grass

This has been an outstanding year for Bear Grass (Xerophyllum tenax, or X. palustris, if you want to get botanical about it). Bears are said to like the tender new leaves in the springtime, hence the common name. Gee--lotza things could be named "Bear this, bear that" if that's all it takes to get something named after you . . . .

But anyway, it's lovely stuff in bloom, and rare. It only grows in certain selected parts of northwestern Montana and southern Alberta. We knew people in Calgary who traveled south to Waterton park on the US border (contiguous with Glacier National Park) just to see the Bear Grass. It's that special.

Last year, I saw some for the first time on the way in to Whitefish--in one area along a high-line right of way that crossed Highway 93. Only in that one spot. This year, the stuff is prolific--still in a restricted area which includes that right-of-way, but there's so much more! Apparently, it's not only picky about where it grows, it's picky about whether it blooms at all. This is a good year. See for yourself.