Needle-pointed blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium mucronatum)
This miniature member of the iris family is a joy to see in spring-blooming prairies, especially when found alongside yellow stargrass. Light blue to white star-like flowers with yellow centers appear at the tips of flattened flower stalks. Thin, grass-like leaves grow in clumps that sport many flowers. Seeds develop in intriguing round capsules that split along three seams to release small dark seeds. Needle-pointed blue-eyed grass has even thinner leaves and stems than strict blue-eyed grass and tends to grow in moister sites. Ranked S1 (critically imperiled) in Manitoba.
Grows with yellow stargrass, wild strawberry, self-heal, Canadian lousewort, Canada hawkweed, big bluestem, Sorghastrum, and June grass.
Flower Colour: light blue to white
Life Cycle: perennial
Sun Exposure: full sun
Bloom Period: May – June
Height: 5” – 20”
Soil: medium to moist