Needle-tip Blue-eyed Grass Sisyrinchium mucronatum

Needle-tipped Blue-eyed Grass is a perennial in the iris family native to Canada and the southeastern United States. Contrary to its common name, it is not a grass, but a member of the genus Sisyrinchium, which includes annuals and perennials in the iris family. The low growing, narrow leaves do have a grass-like appearance, thus the common name.

Growing in the form of an upright clump, thin rhizomes spread outward from the clump.  

Its native habitat includes forests, woodlands, fields, meadows, and along ponds and streams.

Typically in groups of 2 to 4 flowers on each stalk, the dainty, deep blue to violet flowers open one at a time. Occasionally, white flowers will appear. The star shaped blooms are under 3/4 inch across, and each has 3 petals and 3 sepals that are very similar in appearance, however, the sepals are slightly wider than the petals.  At the tip of each rounded petal or sepal is a needle like tip, thus its common name of Needle-tip Blue-eyed grass. The flowers are enclosed by 2 bracts that resemble leaves and are wider than the stem. Flowers close in the late afternoon to evening and open again in the morning.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues.