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Sisyrinchium montanum
Sisyrinchium montanum Greene
Strict Blue-eyed Grass, Mountain Blue-eyed Grass, Common Blue-eyed Grass
Iridaceae (Iris Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: SIMO2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
A grass-like plant, forming small clumps. Leaves are mostly basal, linear and bright green. Six-petaled, violet-blue, star-like flowers are solitary or in small clusters at the tip of long flowering stalks. Plants grow 6-20 in. tall.
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 20 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , Blue , VioletBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: Bluish violet with yellow bases.
Distribution
USA: CO , CT , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , MA , ME , MI , MN , MT , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , PA , RI , SD , TX , UT , VT , WI , WYCanada: AB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Que. to B.C., s. to NJ, n. IN, IA, KS & CO
Native Habitat: Moist, sandy meadows & open woods
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil Description: Sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Grows readily from seed. Blue-eyed grass is not really a grass. It is an unusual member of the iris family because it is native to prairie grasslands, whereas most iris prefer wet lands.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesFind Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Small perennials & grasses for a naturalized lawn
October 26, 2009
I am looking for native perennials and grasses that will grow no more than 8 inches tall that can be used in a naturalized lawn in Michigan. What 5 plants would be your first choice?
view the full question and answer
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | FACW | FAC | FAC | FAC | FAC | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallySearch 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 montanum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Sisyrinchium montanum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Sisyrinchium montanum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-27Research By: TWC Staff