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Cressler, Alan

Sisyrinchium atlanticum

Sisyrinchium atlanticum E.P. Bicknell

Eastern Blue-eyed Grass

Iridaceae (Iris Family)

Synonym(s): Sisyrinchium apiculatum, Sisyrinchium mucronatum var. atlanticum

USDA Symbol: SIAT

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

A grass-like, clumped perennial, to 20 in. high, with pale-green foliage and flattened flowering stems terminating in loose clusters of pale-blue, six-petaled, yellow-centered flowers.

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

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 20 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Blue , Purple , Violet
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: Pale blue or bluish violet to purple, occasionally white.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT
Canada: NS
Native Distribution: ME to MI (locally), s. to FL & MS
Native Habitat: Meadows, marsh edges & thin woods near shores & coasts

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Moist soils; usually sandy or rocky-acid.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed or division. Several dozen divisions can be expected from a mature, healthy specimen.
Seed Collection: Collect seed capsule when they have darkened to brown and become wrinkled. Allow the tiny, black seeds to air dry before storing in a sealed, refrigerated container.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACW				FACW	FACW		FACW	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.

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

Metadata

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

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