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Sisyrinchium sagittiferum (Spearbract blue-eyed grass)
Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Sisyrinchium sagittiferum

Sisyrinchium sagittiferum E.P. Bicknell

Spearbract Blue-eyed Grass, Blue-eyed Grass

Iridaceae (Iris Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: SISA3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This species grows 8-18 inches tall, in clumps, on threadlike stems. Leaves are narrow, 4-6 inches long. The flowers are bluish to violet purple, occasionally white, with 6 tepals, 1/2-3/4 inch across, and a yellow center.

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.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 18 inches tall.
Flower: Flowers 1/2 inch

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow , Blue , Purple , Violet
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: Usually flowers in spring, sometimes again in fall.

Distribution

USA: AR , LA , TX
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas, Roadsides, Woodlands' edge, Opening

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay Caliche type, Limestone-based

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Perennial garden, Wildflower meadow, Shortgrass meadow, Can be mowed, Blooms ornamental
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FAC FACW
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Bibliography

Bibref 765 - McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-27
Research By: TWC Staff

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