Bicknell Blue-eyed Grass Sisyrinchium atlanticum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Sistrinchium apiculatum
- Sisyrinchium mucronatum var. atlanticum
- Phonetic Spelling
- sis-ee-RINK-ee-um at-LAN-tik-um
- Description
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Eastern Blue-eyed Grass is a perennial bulb in the iris family native to Canada and the southeastern United States.
It is typically found in open meadows, marsh edges, along the shore, and wooded areas where sunlight and moisture are abundant. In some locations in the U.S., such as the Midwest, it has been deemed threatened or endangered.
The tiny flowers form on a short stalk, with typically 2 to 4 flowers per stalk. They will open one at a time. The petals are a deep blue to violet, and occasionally white. They each are adorned with 6 tepals, consisting of 3 petals and 3 sepals that are very similar in appearance. Each rounded at their tips with a small projection at the very tip that is needle-like. At the base of each tepal, there will be a bright spot with a green to yellow throat with bright yellow stamens in the middle. The flowering stems are taller than the basal leaves.
In North Carolina, it can be found growing across the state, but more so along the coast.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sisyrinchium
- Species:
- atlanticum
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Rain gardens and other moist locations.
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Canada, southeastern U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, CT
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts birds and bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Defines Paths
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Native Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from June to August on a slender stalk. It will split when dry to expose 2 or more smooth black seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small blue to violet flowers with yellow centers bloom from March to June with 1 to 4 blooms per stem. The star shaped petals are rounded at the tips with a needle-like projection at the very tip.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The narrow, basal leaves are pale green, reaching a length from 4 to 8 inches.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Flat stems terminate with loose clusters of flowers. The smooth stems are narrowly winged and appear branched.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
