Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Kelly Kindscher, and Danielle Walkup

Flower of Sisyrinchium arizonicum

Blue-eyed grass, despite its name, is not always blue. The name refers to a number of plants in the iris family, some of which are yellow. Blue-eyed grass has typical iris leaves, which are folded toward the base. The flower is large, with petals over 5/8 inch long. This plant lives on rocky slopes at upper elevations.

Species found in the Four Corners region include Sisyrinchium demissum (stiff blue-eyed grass), which is blue, and Sisyrinchium arizonicum (Arizona blue-eyed grass), which is yellow.

Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Kelly Kindscher, and Danielle Walkup

Sisyrinchium arizonicum growth habit

Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Kelly Kindscher, and Danielle Walkup

Sisyrinchium arizonicum with flower and capsules

Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Kelly Kindscher, and Danielle Walkup

Sisyrinchium arizonicum with flower and capsules

Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Kelly Kindscher, and Danielle Walkup

Sisyrinchium arizonicum

Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger

Sisyrinchium demissum

Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger

Sisyrinchium demissum growth habit