Family: Iridaceae
narrow-leaved blue-eyed-grass, pointed blue-eyed-grass, stout blue-eyed-grass
[Sisyrinchium bermudiana auct. non L., more...]
Merel R. Black
Janice Stiefel
Etymology: Sisyrinchium: Greek sys for pig; rynchos for snout; referring to a pig grubbing the roots for food
Plants: erect, perennial, 6"-20" tall forb, bright green, darkening when dry to dark olive to blackish; stems flat, widely winged to 1/5" wide, thin, branched, 1 or 2 nodes, mostly straight from the nodes, longer than the leaves
Leaves: narrow, mostly wider and shorter than the stems, up to 1/4" wide, smooth
Flowers: pale blue to violet, 6-parted, 1/2" - 1" wide, tepals sometimes white, bases yellow, tips rounded or notched with a sharp point; inflorescence of 1 cluster from the leaf axils, sheaths (spathes) usually green, wider than the stalk, connected at the base, outer sheath 3/4"-1 1/2" long
Fruits: small, roundish capsule, dark brown to black, sometimes tinged with purple
Habitat: moist; meadows, grassy areas, open woods
Conservation Status: Special Concern
Plants: erect, perennial, 6"-20" tall forb, bright green, darkening when dry to dark olive to blackish; stems flat, widely winged to 1/5" wide, thin, branched, 1 or 2 nodes, mostly straight from the nodes, longer than the leaves
Leaves: narrow, mostly wider and shorter than the stems, up to 1/4" wide, smooth
Flowers: pale blue to violet, 6-parted, 1/2" - 1" wide, tepals sometimes white, bases yellow, tips rounded or notched with a sharp point; inflorescence of 1 cluster from the leaf axils, sheaths (spathes) usually green, wider than the stalk, connected at the base, outer sheath 3/4"-1 1/2" long
Fruits: small, roundish capsule, dark brown to black, sometimes tinged with purple
Habitat: moist; meadows, grassy areas, open woods
Conservation Status: Special Concern
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 6, Wetland Indicator = FACW- WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin listed species including state and federal status, photos, etc. Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Janice Stiefel
Janice Stiefel
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
Botanical Illustration
Botanical Illustration