The photo at right shows a close-up sideview of the flower of Idaho blue-eyed grass as seen along Kreps Lane in Conboy National Wildlife Refuge several miles south of Mt. Adams...........May 30, 2006.
Previously classified as Sisyrinchium angustifolium, this diminutive wildflower is now known as S. idahoense (according to the USDA Plants Database). The species name angustifolium is now reserved for plants in the eastern US. Idaho blue-eyed grass is a pretty wildflower with one to several stems rising from 10-40 cm from a cluster of parallel-veined, grass-like leaves. The stems are flattened, much like grass, and are about 1.5-2 mm wide. The leaves are about 2-3 mm wide.
The 2-5 flowers are umbellate, with blue to purplish tepals, often with a yellow eye. The tepals are pleated and tipped with a short point. Individual flowers range from 1.3-2 cm across. The anthers are a bright yellow.
Idaho blue-eyed grass is found from near sea level into the lower mountains. It is found in moist meadows and in marshland or within ditches.
Idaho blue-eyed grass is widespread from Alaska to Baja California, from the coast to the east slopes of the Rocky Mts..
In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between 100'-2200' from the vicinity of Troutdale, OR, eastwards to about The Dalles, OR.
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