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Sisyrinchium mucronatum

Sisyrinchium mucronatum Michx.

Needletip Blue-eyed Grass

Iridaceae (Iris Family)

Synonym(s): Sisyrinchium intermedium

USDA Symbol: SIMU3

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