Narrow-Leaved Blue-Eyed Grass, Stout Blue-Eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium angustifolium

sis-ee-RINK-ee-um  an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-um

Synonyms of Sisyrinchium angustifolium (28) (Updated on 12-19-23 from Plants of the World Online): Bermudiana angustifolia (Mill.) Kuntze (1891), Bermudiana bermudiana var. albida Kuntze (1898)(not validly publ.), Bermudiana bermudiana var. angustifolia (Mill.) Kuntze (1898)(not validly publ.), Bermudiana bermudiana f. graminoides (E.P.Bicknell) Kuntze (1898)(not validly publ.), Bermudiana graminea Gaertn. (1788), Bermudiana graminea (Lam.) Nieuwl. (1913)(nom. illeg.), Bermudiana graminifolia Medik. (1787), Bermudiana homomalla (Klatt) Kuntze (1891), Bermudiana iridifolia Medik. (1787), Ferraria pulchella Salisb. (1796), Ferraria violacea Salisb. (1796), Marica mucronata Ker Gawl. (1827), Sisyrinchium acuminatum Herb. (1843), Sisyrinchium anceps Cav. (1788), Sisyrinchium angustifolium f. album J.K.Sim & Y.S.Kim (1992), Sisyrinchium bermudiana var. anceps (Cav.) A.Gray (1867), Sisyrinchium bermudiana subsp. angustifolium (Mill.) P.Fourn. (1935), Sisyrinchium carolinianum E.P.Bicknell (1899), Sisyrinchium cultrifolium Noronha (1790)(nom. nud.), Sisyrinchium excisum Godr. (1853), Sisyrinchium gramineum Lam. (1785), Sisyrinchium graminoides E.P.Bicknell (1896), Sisyrinchium hibernicum Á.Löve & D.Löve (1961), Sisyrinchium homomallum Klatt (1882), Sisyrinchium iridioides Curtis (1789), Sisyrinchium membranaceum E.P.Bicknell (1899), Sisyrinchium nuttallii Sweet (1826), Sisyrinchium ramosum Herb. (1843)

Sisyrinchium angustifolium Mill. is the accepted scientific name for this species. It was named and described as such by Philip Miller in the eighth edition of Gardener’s Dictionary in 1768.

The genus, Sisyrinchium L., was named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the second volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of 12-19-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 211 species in the Sisyrinchium genus. It is a member of the plant family Iridaceae with a total of 69 genera. The numbers could change periodically as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Sisyrinchium angustifolium is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native and purple is where it has been introduced. The map on the USDA Plants Database for the United States and Canada is similar but didn’t include Nebraska or Colorado when I updated this page. 

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations of this species. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations. 

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A BETTER PLANT ID.

I found several colonies of this neat wildflower while exploring the secluded woods on a friend’s farm on May 23 in 2020. I identified quite a few wildflowers in his woods and pastures not found on my farm.

I apologize for not writing descriptions at the moment, but I have A LOT of wildflower pages to make and publish before I start getting too busy. I update this site and add new pages over the winter but I didn’t get finished. SO, I decided to just make the page with photos and links to other sites for better plant ID. I will be taking more photos over the summer and posting but I will also be working on these pages as I have time.

 

 

<<<<2021>>>>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2021, I found several colonies of Sisyrinchium angustifolium in the main hayfield here on the farm.

In 2022, I found several colonies of what I think I positively identified as Sisyrinchium campestre (Prairie Blue-Eyed Grass) on the farm. Now I am a little confused as to which species is really here. Could be both or one of the other…

The summer of 2023 was very hot and dry, the worst can remember, so by mid-summer, most of the wildflowers on the farm dried up. I didn’t do much wildflower hunting except for early and late in the season. I didn’t run across any Sisyrinchium species, but hopefully, I will find them in 2024…

I live on the family farm in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be variable from location to location, so that can be a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky

NOTE: Plants of the World Online is the most up-to-date database. It is very hard for some to keep with name changes these days so you may find a few discrepancies between the websites. Just be patient. Hopefully, someday they will be in harmony. 🙂

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
MISSOURI PLANTS
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
DAVE’S GARDEN
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
PFAF (PLANTS FOR A FUTURE)
GO BOTANY
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
FLORA FINDER
FRIENDS OF THE WILDFLOWER GARDEN
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
GARDENIA
WILDFLOWERS OF THE UNITED STATES

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂