Western Blue-eyed Grass

Appearance

The stems of "Sisyrinchium bellum" can grow as long as 60 centimetres, though they are often shorter. Its leaves are grassy and tufted. The flowers are 1–2 centimetres in diameter and purplish-blue, varying somewhat in color from a true blue to a definite purple; occasional white-flowering plants are found. It flowers from March to July with a peak in April. Dried in air, its seeds weigh between 1 and 4 mg. After flowering, it dies to the ground and is dormant over the summer.

Naming

In parts of its range, western blue-eyed grass has previously been classified as "Sisyrinchium eastwoodiae", "S. greenei" and "S. hesperium", but these names are now considered synonyms.

Habitat

"Sisyrinchium bellum" grows as a perennial plant in open places where there is some moisture, particularly grassy areas, though it can also be found in woodlands and at altitudes up to 2,400 metres. Like other species of blue-eyed grasses that are locally dominant, it is generally known simply as "blue-eyed grass" within its natural range.

Uses

The Ohlone used an infusion of the roots and leaves as a cure for indigestion and stomach pain, and similar uses are recorded from other Native American peoples.