Ethnobotany

1. Western Blue-eyed Grass – Sisyrinchium bellum (sis-er-RINK-ee-um BELL-um)
Family: Iridaceae (Iris Family)
Native to: Coastal CA from San Luis Obispo to Baja; Open, generally moist, grassy areas,
woodlands.
Growth characteristics: clumping perennial mature height: 4-16 in. mature width: 4-16 in.
Clumping perennial with narrow linear leaves (grasslike, hence the common name). Summer
dormant in nature. Spreads by creeping rhizomes, so the colony enlarges each year.
Blooms/fruits: Flowers showy, purple and yellow, lily-like on stems above foliage. The contrasting
yellow center leads the bee into the flower. Blooms Feb to summer (depends on local conditions)
with long blooming period.
Uses in the garden: Many uses in garden. Does well in many situations including rock garden,
meadows, borders. Nice in front of mixed borders, in containers and for filling in around plantings of
shrubs and trees. Plant with other wildflowers such as California Poppy, Blue Flax and Clarkia.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native bulbs, dwarf irises, small lilies.
Attracts: Excellent bee habitat. Provides seeds for seed-eating birds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Part-shade usually best; full sun OK along coast
Soil Any well-drained texture; any local pH
Water Best if given summer dormancy. This allows for reseeding, but leaves turn brown.
Can irrigate lightly (twice a month in summer) to keep leaves green.
Fertilizer Low needs; may benefit from organic mulches
Other
Management: Easy. In gardens with summer water will behave like an annual. Reseeds and
spreads by rhizomes in nature and garden, but not invasive if watered sparingly.
Propagation: from seed: yes in spring by divisions: yes, dormant plants are easy to
divide (like Iris) or by re-potting plantlets that grow along the stems.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 5, 8-11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 24, 26 12/17/10
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