Iridaceae : Sisyrinchium campestre
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Family Name
Iridaceae
Common Name
White-eyed grass
Description
Sisyrinchium campestre is a perennial grass-like herb with narrow, winged stems, 10-40 cm tall and 1-2 mm wide. The basal leaves are about 1/2 to 2/3 the length of the flowering stems. The flowers emerge from a sessile spathe, the outer bract 2.5-4.5 cm long and the inner bract about ½ the length, with a pedicel that is exerted just beyond the spathe. The 6 tepals are up to 10 mm long, white to pale blue, sometimes having bluish stripes, rounded at the tip with a small, needle-like projection. The fruit is a rounded capsule, 3-6 mm in diameter. White-eyed grass blooms from April to June in prairies and open woods in eastern South Dakota.
Horticulture Notes
Seed Collection: Collect seed in June-August when the capsules turn brown.
Germination: Seeds need a 60-day cold treatment or fall sowing.
Soils: Rocky, sandy well drained soils.
Light: Full sun to light shade.
Water: Moderately dry.
Additional Notes
Sisyrinchiums are delicate, grass-like plants with flowers that can easily go unnoticed. They make a nice addition grassy areas and between plants in a native plant garden. Once established they will grow and reseed themselves