''Sisyrinchium californicum'' is a species of flowering plant in the
iris family
Iridaceae is a family of plants in order Asparagales, taking its name from the irises, meaning rainbow, referring to its many colours. There are 66 accepted genera with a total of c. 2244 species worldwide (Christenhusz & Byng 2016). It inclu ...
known by the common names golden blue-eyed grass,
yellow-eyed-grass,
and golden-eyed-grass. It is native to the west coast of North America from
British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include ...
to central
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...
, where it grows in moist habitat, often in coastal areas.
Description
''Sisyrinchium californicum'' is a
rhizomatous
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (; , ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow h ...
perennial herb producing a pale green, nonwaxy stem which grows up to about 60 centimeters tall. The herbage turns dark brown or black as it dries. The flat, narrow leaves are grasslike. The flower has six
tepal
A tepal is one of the outer parts of a flower (collectively the perianth). The term is used when these parts cannot easily be classified as either sepals or petals. This may be because the parts of the perianth are undifferentiated (i.e. of very ...
s each between 1 and 2 centimeters in length. They are light to bright yellow, often with brown veining. The fruit is a dark-colored capsule.
References
External links
Jepson Manual Treatment - ''Sisyrinchium californicum''Flora of North AmericaWashington Burke Museum''Sisyrinchium californicum'' - Photo gallery
californicum
Flora of the West Coast of the United States
Flora of California
Flora of British Columbia
Garden plants of North America
Flora of North America
Plants described in 1807
Flora without expected TNC conservation status
{{Iridaceae-stub