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Sisyrinchium bellum (Western blue-eyed grass)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Sisyrinchium bellum S. Wats.

Western blue-eyed grass, California blue-eyed-grass

Iridaceae (Iris Family)

USDA Symbol: sibe

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This blue-eyed grass species is a variable perennial, 3-18 in. tall, with umbels of starry, blue, violet or white flowers depending on the form. Individual flowers last only one day but are produced in great quantities. Foliage may be evergreen depending on moisture and temperature. Leaves are narrow and sword-shaped, occuring in fan-like sprays from creeping rhizomes which enlarge the colony each year.

Blue-eyed grass becomes very drought tolerant when established and may self-sow.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: CA, w. of the Cascades to Vancouver I., B.C.
Native Habitat: Variable, but mostly open, grassy places below 3000 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Various soils.
Conditions Comments: Blue-eyed grass will become very drought tolerant when established and may self-sow. While flowering, the species benefits from temporarily moist soil, but the soil should be dry in summer.

Propagation

Description: Easily grown from seeds sown in fall or from root divisions. Divide the clumps early in the spring just as the grass-like foliage is appearing. Plants from seed will flower the second year.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Oregon Native Plant Nursery - Woodburn, OR

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:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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