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Marcus, Joseph A.

Sisyrinchium minus

Sisyrinchium minus Engelm. & A. Gray

Dwarf Blue-eyed-grass, Pink-eyed-grass, Pink Blue-eyed-grass

Iridaceae (Iris Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: SIMI2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

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

8 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: 6-9 inches tall.

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.

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

National Wetland Indicator Status

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

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.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX

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 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: 2023-04-06
Research By: DEW, JSC, ADA

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