Family: Iris Family (Iridaceae) Group: Blue-eyed Grasses Distinctive features:
Just like other Blue-eyed Grasses, but flower is white. Similar species: • Common Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium montanum) - has blue flowers. • Slender Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium mucronatum) - has blue flowers. • Stout Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) - bractsare different.
Flowers: Summer; White; 6 parts (petals); Summer. White with yellow center. Petals have distinctly pointed tips. Six parts. 1/2 - 3/4" wide. Leaves:
Like grass. Height:
15-40 cm (6-16 in) Stem:
Flat, distinctly winged, 1/8" wide. Unbranched and without a leafy bract in the middle. Pointed stem continues above flower cluster. Habitat: Fields and Open Areas; Fields and meadows, bogs, forest edges. Lifespan:
Perennial. Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 332 Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Uncommon.
Notes:
Looks exactly like Common Blue-eyed Grass except the flowers are white.
Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: albidum: white Photographs:
22 photographs available, of which 5 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
The specimens featured in the photos on this page were found in two separate locations on the Bruce Peninsula. The first three photos are of one specimen.
Unfortunately, when I found these specimens I did not know or note the key determining feature of White Blue-eyed Grass: two spathes (leafy bracts) where the flower stalks emerge. Close examination of the photos I did take seem to indicate the two spathes, but this is not clear. So there is a possibility that these are not photos of White Blue-eyed Grass after all.
This and the next photo are of a different specimen, in a different location.
