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Sisyrinchium angustifolium Mill.

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

Blue-eyed grass is a North American native.

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.

Habitats: Sunny and moderately moist soil, in meadows, damp fields, or low, open woods..

Edibility: Greens are edible when cooked.

Online References:

Illinois Wildflowers

North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

The Missouri Botanical Garden

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Go Botany

Sisyrinchium bermudiana auct. non L.
Sisyrinchium graminoides E.P. Bicknell

 

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

6/3/2025 · Wildes Road Wildlife Management Area, Bowdoinham, Maine · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)

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

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

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

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

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

7/12/2020 · Highland Green, Topsham, Maine · ≈ 3½ × 3″ (9.8 × 7.4 cm)

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

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

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

7/12/2020 · Highland Green, Topsham, Maine · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 14 cm)

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

6/22/2017 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 2½ × 3″ (7.2 × 7.4 cm) ID is uncertain

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

6/3/2025 · Wildes Road Wildlife Management Area, Bowdoinham, Maine · ≈ 8 × 7″ (19 × 17 cm)

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

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

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

6/3/2025 · Wildes Road Wildlife Management Area, Bowdoinham, Maine · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin)
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...

Range:

About this map...

Sisyrinchium angustifolium description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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