Plants of Louisiana

Sisyrinchium angustifolium

narrowleaf blue-eyed grass, blueeyed grass, common blue-eyed grass, common blue-eyedgrass, blue-eyed grass, narrow-leaf blue-eyed-grass, bermuda blue-eyed grass
Family

Iridaceae

Leaf Arrangement

equitant, basal (rosulate)

Leaf Margin

entire

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

linear

Growth Form

forb

Flower Color

blue, purple, white

Flower Month

March - July

Height (meters)

0.2 - 0.5

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

perennial

Growing Season

Cool season

Wetland Class

FAC

Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism

5

Field Characters

Stem 4-6 mm wide. Erect blue flowers.

Cultural Information

Propagation is best from seeds. Collect the capsules when they become wrinkled but before they fall from the plant. The capsules should dried then crushed to release the seeds. Fresh seed should be planted in fall (in cool soil). Cold/moist stratification (90 days at 33-40 degrees F) improves germination (Phillips 1985, Steffen 1997). There are about 7,568,000 seeds/lb and the recommended planting rate is 0.5 lbs/acre. Seedlings are easily transplanted and often bloom 1-2 years after germination. Clumps may be divided in early spring but require moist conditions. (Phillips 1985). An early spring wildflower that reseeds readily in good garden soil.

Habitat

Meadows, grassy places, damp woods, deciduous woods, moist prairies, low, wet areas, sandy or rocky acid soils.