Nolina plants are characterized by their long, slender leaves that taper to a point, resembling grasses. They are often mistaken for palms due to their foliage, but they are not true palms. One well-known species in this genus is Nolina recurvata, commonly known as the ponytail palm or elephant foot tree. Ponytail palms are popular ornamental plants known for their distinctive swollen base, resembling an elephant's foot, and their cascading, fountain-like leaves.