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Native Plant Database

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Sisyrinchium minus (Dwarf blue-eyed grass)
Marcus, Joseph A.

Sisyrinchium minus Engelm. & Gray

Dwarf blue-eyed grass, Pink-Eyed Grass

Iridaceae (Iris Family)

USDA Symbol: SIMI2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A member of the iris family (family Iridaceae) which consists of herbs growing from rhizomes, bulbs, or corms, with narrow basal leaves and showy clusters at the tips of long stalks. There are about 60 genera and 1,500 species, distributed in temperate and tropical regions. Among them, Iris, Freesia, Gladiolus, Bugle Lily, and Montbretia are popular ornamentals. Saffron dye is obtained from Crocus, and essence of violets, used in perfumes, is extracted from the rhizomes of Iris.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: 6-9 inches tall.
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: CA , LA , NC , OK , TX
Native Habitat: Sandy or silty soil in south Coastal Plain to central Texas; also LA; introduced elsewhere.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Conditions Comments: Effective used in mass in short grass or naturalized between flagstones, in front of beds or under deciduous trees. Evergreen rosette in winter. Will self sow. Will accept summer water.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: No

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Sisyrinchium minus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Sisyrinchium minus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Sisyrinchium minus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: DEW, JSC, ADA

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