Iridaceae: Sisyrinchium campestre

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Family Name

Iridaceae

Common Name

Prairie blue-eyed grass

Description

Sisyrinchium campestre is a perennial herb growing 15 to 40 cm tall from a fibrous root system with short rhizomes. The stems are slender, erect, and smooth or slightly rough. Leaves are narrow, grass-like, linear to lanceolate, typically 10 to 25 cm long and 2 to 5 mm wide, with entire margins. The upper and lower leaf surfaces are smooth and bright green. The plant blooms from May through July. The  inflorescence consists of a solitary flower or a cluster of a few flowers at the top of a stem. The flower stalks are enclosed within 2 leaf-like bracts,  green to purplish brown, the outer one 3-5 cm and the inner one about half as long. Flowers are star-shaped, about 15 to 25 mm in diameter, with six tepals (petal-like segments) that are pale blue to light violet with a yellow base. Each tepal is about 7 to 12 mm long and 3 to 5 mm wide, with a smooth texture and entire margins. There are six stamens  per flower, forming a column of with filaments about 5 to 7 mm long and yellow anthers about 2 to 3 mm long. The pistil consists of three fused carpels forming a compound ovary with three locules, a style about 5 to 6 mm long, and a trifid stigma. The fruit is a 3-lobed capsule about 6 to 8 mm long that ripens from July to August, releasing numerous small seeds. Prairie blue-eyed grass is native to the eastern parts of South Dakota, commonly growing in prairies, open woods, and meadows.

Additional Notes

Prairie blue-eyed grass is appreciated for its delicate, colorful flowers and is used in native plant gardens and prairie restorations.

Horticulture Notes

Seed collection: From July to August when seed capsules mature and dry.

Germination: Seeds germinate best in well-drained soil with light exposure and moderate moisture. Plant in fall or early spring.

Vegetative Propagation: By division of clumps.

Soils: Prefers well-drained, sandy to loamy soils.

Light: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Water: Prefers moderate moisture but tolerates some drought once established.