Sisyrinchium bermudiana auct. non L.
Sisyrinchium graminoides E.P. Bicknell
Sisyrinchium angustifolium Mill. Blue-eyed grass, narrow-leaved blue-eyed grass
These North American native plants prefer a lot of sun and moderately moist soil, in meadows, damp fields, or low, open woods. Plants: These are often mistaken for grasses because of their very narrow leaves and grass-like height, and of course because of their common names, but they are actually related to irises. Stems are broadly winged, 1/16-⅛″ (2-5 mm) in width, often branched, 6-18″ (15-45 cm) high. Leaves: Basal, linear, 1/16-⅛″ (2-6 mm) wide and up to the height of the plant, like miniature iris leaves. Flowers: Flowers are blue to purple or white in color, up to ½″ (1.3 cm) across, with 3 petals alternating with 3 sepals (the petals and sepals look identical), so they appears as six-pointed “stars.” Each petal or sepal is ¼-⅜″ (7-10 mm) long and tipped with a sharp point. There is a central yellow patch surrounded by darker blue/purple. Fine darker-colored lines convey nectar to the center of the flower. They appear from March to July. Fruits: A capsule ⅛-¼″ (4-7 mm) long, globose to ovoid, which splits into three sections to release black, rounded seeds. Edibility: Greens are edible when cooked. Online References:
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Sisyrinchium bermudiana auct. non L. Sisyrinchium graminoides E.P. Bicknell
Sisyrinchium angustifolium description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 20 Aug 2020. |
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