Usually when I come across Blue-eyed-grass it is growing individually or in small colonies of only a few plants. What a pleasant surprise to find a large field full of these Needle-tip Blue-eyed-grass (Sisyrhincium mucronatum). The effect was beautiful and gave me new insight as to this plants value in a planted landscape as well as ecologically. The colony was growing in a low area in full sun and (what I presume are) the sandy soils of Chincoteague.

Blue-eyed-grasses are actually not grasses at all, but rather are in the Iris family (Iridaceae). Because they are grass-like in form, evergreen and relatively short they could be used as an effective ground cover with lovely seasonal color.


Location: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, VA

(Note: I think this is S. mucronatum and not S. angustifolium, Narrow-leaved Blue-eyed-grass, its very similar cousin. Even though Flora of Virginia indicates S. mucronatum is not known from Chincoteague, the spathes are clearly reddish indicating S. mucronatum is the appropriate choice.)