Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: 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 , VioletBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: Usually flowers in spring, sometimes again in fall.
Distribution
USA: AR , LA , TXNative Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas, Roadsides, Woodlands' edge, Opening
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight 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 ornamentalConspicuous Flowers: yes
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsNational Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FACW |
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 PlantsFNA: Find Sisyrinchium sagittiferum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Sisyrinchium sagittiferum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-27Research By: TWC Staff