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Sisyrinchium angustifolium Mill.

Blue-eyed grass, narrow-leaved blue-eyed grass

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassLiliopsidaMonocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
SubclassLiliidaeIncludes lilies, orchids, and many others
OrderAsparagalesA diverse group that includes asparagus
FamilyIridaceaeIris family—perennial plants that grow from bulbs—also includes crocuses, gladiolas, and the genus Moraea
GenusSisyrinchiumAn old Greek name of unknown meaning
Speciesangustifolium“Having narrow foliage”

About plant names...

These North American native plants prefer a lot of sun and moderately moist soil, in meadows, damp fields, or low, open woods.

Plants: These are often mistaken for grasses because of their very narrow leaves and grass-like height, and of course because of their common names, but they are actually related to irises. Stems are broadly winged, 1/16-⅛″ (2-5 mm) in width, often branched, 6-18″ (15-45 cm) high.

Leaves: Basal, linear, 1/16-⅛″ (2-6 mm) wide and up to the height of the plant, like miniature iris leaves.

Flowers: Flowers are blue to purple or white in color, up to ½″ (1.3 cm) across, with 3 petals alternating with 3 sepals (the petals and sepals look identical), so they appears as six-pointed “stars.” Each petal or sepal is ¼-⅜″ (7-10 mm) long and tipped with a sharp point. There is a central yellow patch surrounded by darker blue/purple. Fine darker-colored lines convey nectar to the center of the flower. They appear from March to July.

Fruits: A capsule ⅛-¼″ (4-7 mm) long, globose to ovoid, which splits into three sections to release black, rounded seeds.

Edibility: Greens are edible when cooked.

Online References:

Illinois Wildflowers

Plants.ces.ncsu.edu

The Missouri Botanical Garden

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Sisyrinchium angustifolium (blue-eyed grass, narrow-leaved blue-eyed grass)

6/9/2016 · Monhegan Island, Maine ID is uncertain

Sisyrinchium angustifolium (blue-eyed grass, narrow-leaved blue-eyed grass)

6/9/2016 · Monhegan Island, Maine ID is uncertain

Sisyrinchium angustifolium (blue-eyed grass, narrow-leaved blue-eyed grass)

5/31/2016 · J. Harry Rich State Forest, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts ID is uncertain

Sisyrinchium bermudiana auct. non L.

Sisyrinchium graminoides E.P. Bicknell

 

Sisyrinchium angustifolium description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 20 Aug 2020.

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Sisyrinchium angustifolium (blue-eyed grass, narrow-leaved blue-eyed grass)

5/30/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts ID is uncertain

Sisyrinchium angustifolium (blue-eyed grass, narrow-leaved blue-eyed grass)

5/6/2011 · Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Chester, Mary­land · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)

Sisyrinchium angustifolium (blue-eyed grass, narrow-leaved blue-eyed grass)

6/9/2016 · Monhegan Island, Maine ID is uncertain

Range:

About this map...