Prairie Blue-eyed Grass
| Also known as: | White-eyed Grass |
|---|---|
| Scientific name: | Sisyrinchium campestre |
| Family: | Iris (Iridaceae) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | sun; prairies, meadows, along railroads |
| Bloom season: | spring to early summer |
| Plant height: | 4 to 16 inches |
| USDA PLANTS database: | Minnesota county distribution map |
| Spotted in Ramsey County at: |
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Detailed Information
- Flower:
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/blue/prairie-blue-eyed-grass_0530_155124-t.jpg)
Flowers are ½ to ¾ inch across, pale blue to white with 6 tepals (petals) and a protruding yellow center. Each petal has a sharp point at the tip. A few flowers are clustered at the top of a stem, the flower stalks enclosed within a sheath about 1 to 2 inches long. The sheath color is green to purplish brown.
- Leaves and stem:
![[photo of stem]](/udata/r9ndp23q/blue/prairie-blue-eyed-grass_0530_160514-t.jpg)
Leaves are grass-like blades in a tuft at the base of the plant, each 3 to 10 inches long, or about as long as the flower stems. The flower stems are winged, and about 1/8 inch wide. Each plant may have several stems.
- Notes:
- There are only 2 species of blue-eyed grass that grow in or adjacent to Ramsey County, and 1 or 2 more in Greater Minnesota. The other species have larger flowers, about 1 inch across, and are a deeper blue or blue-violet color.
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/blue/prairie-blue-eyed-grass_0530_155124.jpg)
![[photo of stem]](/udata/r9ndp23q/blue/prairie-blue-eyed-grass_0530_160514.jpg)
More photos
Prairie Blue-eyed Grass Plant, about 8 inches tall
more flowers Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN June 2008
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?
