212 Species of Genus Sisyrinchium

My Love Affair with Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium)

The world is full of hidden wonders. As Ferb Vu, I find myself constantly drawn to the subtle beauties that often go unnoticed. One of my greatest fascinations lies with a delicate wildflower that graces meadows and roadsides with its quiet charm: the Sisyrinchium, commonly known as blue-eyed grass.

Now, before you conjure up images of a typical grassy clump, let me clarify. Blue-eyed grass isn’t a grass at all. It’s a member of the Iridaceae family, making it a relative of the majestic iris. But unlike its showy cousin, Sisyrinchium possesses a simple elegance that speaks volumes in its quietude.

I first encountered these captivating blooms during a childhood stroll through a sun-drenched meadow. Their vibrant blue petals, often adorned with a contrasting yellow center, seemed to twinkle like tiny stars scattered across the green canvas. I was captivated.

Over time, my appreciation for Sisyrinchium has only deepened. I’ve spent countless hours observing their delicate structure, the way their petals unfurl in the morning sun, and the subtle variations in color and form among different species.

A Diverse Genus

The genus Sisyrinchium is surprisingly diverse, boasting a wide array of species scattered across the Americas. Here are:

  1. Sisyrinchium abietum McVaugh
  2. Sisyrinchium acre H.Mann
  3. Sisyrinchium albidum Raf.
  4. Sisyrinchium albilapidense Ravenna
  5. Sisyrinchium anadenicum Ravenna
  6. Sisyrinchium anarosae Zamudio & Ceja
  7. Sisyrinchium andinopatagonicum Ravenna
  8. Sisyrinchium angustifolium Mill.
  9. Sisyrinchium angustissimum (B.L.Rob. & Greenm.) Greenm. & C.H.Thomps.
  10. Sisyrinchium annuum Ravenna
  11. Sisyrinchium antucense Ravenna
  12. Sisyrinchium aquidaunicum Ravenna
  13. Sisyrinchium arenarium Poepp.
  14. Sisyrinchium arguellesiae Ceja, Espejo & López-Ferr.
  15. Sisyrinchium arizonicum Rothr.
  16. Sisyrinchium arrayanicum Ravenna
  17. Sisyrinchium atlanticum E.P.Bicknell
  18. Sisyrinchium avenaceum Klatt
  19. Sisyrinchium azureum Phil.
  20. Sisyrinchium balansae Baker
  21. Sisyrinchium bellum S.Watson
  22. Sisyrinchium bermudiana L.
  23. Sisyrinchium biflorum Griseb.
  24. Sisyrinchium biforme E.P.Bicknell
  25. Sisyrinchium binervatum Ravenna
  26. Sisyrinchium brasiliense (Ravenna) Ravenna
  27. Sisyrinchium breviarmium Ravenna
  28. Sisyrinchium brevipes Baker
  29. Sisyrinchium bromelioides R.C.Foster
  30. Sisyrinchium caespitificum Kraenzl.
  31. Sisyrinchium caeteanum Ravenna
  32. Sisyrinchium calathinum Ravenna
  33. Sisyrinchium calciphilum Sorrie
  34. Sisyrinchium californicum (Ker Gawl.) W.T.Aiton
  35. Sisyrinchium campestre E.P.Bicknell
  36. Sisyrinchium capillare E.P.Bicknell
  37. Sisyrinchium caratuvense C.D.Inácio & E.D.Lozano
  38. Sisyrinchium cernuum (E.P.Bicknell) Kearney
  39. Sisyrinchium chaguaranicum Ravenna
  40. Sisyrinchium chapelcoense Ravenna
  41. Sisyrinchium chilense Hook.
  42. Sisyrinchium chiricanum Woodson
  43. Sisyrinchium cholewae Espejo, López-Ferr. & Ceja
  44. Sisyrinchium claritae Herter
  45. Sisyrinchium coalitum Ravenna
  46. Sisyrinchium commutatum Klatt
  47. Sisyrinchium convallium Ravenna
  48. Sisyrinchium convolutum Nocca
  49. Sisyrinchium conzattii Calderón & Rzed.
  50. Sisyrinchium coulterianum Klatt ex Baker
  51. Sisyrinchium cuspidatum Poepp.
  52. Sisyrinchium cylindrocarpium Herter
  53. Sisyrinchium cyperellum Ravenna
  54. Sisyrinchium dasyspathum (Ravenna) Ravenna
  55. Sisyrinchium decumbens Ravenna
  56. Sisyrinchium deflexum R.C.Foster
  57. Sisyrinchium demissum Greene
  58. Sisyrinchium densiflorum Ravenna
  59. Sisyrinchium deseadense Ravenna
  60. Sisyrinchium dichotomum E.P.Bicknell
  61. Sisyrinchium dimorphum R.L.Oliv.
  62. Sisyrinchium diversicarpum C.D.Inácio & L.Eggers
  63. Sisyrinchium elegantulum Ravenna
  64. Sisyrinchium elizabethiae E.L.Keith
  65. Sisyrinchium elmeri Greene
  66. Sisyrinchium ensigerum E.P.Bicknell
  67. Sisyrinchium eserrulatum I.M.Johnst.
  68. Sisyrinchium exalatum B.L.Rob. & Greenm.
  69. Sisyrinchium exilifolium Ravenna
  70. Sisyrinchium fasciculatum Klatt
  71. Sisyrinchium fiebrigii I.M.Johnst.
  72. Sisyrinchium firmifolium Ravenna
  73. Sisyrinchium flabellatum Aita & L.Eggers
  74. Sisyrinchium funereum E.P.Bicknell
  75. Sisyrinchium fuscatum E.P.Bicknell
  76. Sisyrinchium galapagense Ravenna
  77. Sisyrinchium glaziovii Baker
  78. Sisyrinchium graminifolium Lindl.
  79. Sisyrinchium gratissimum Ravenna
  80. Sisyrinchium groenlandicum Böcher
  81. Sisyrinchium guanajuatense Ceja, Espejo & López-Ferr.
  82. Sisyrinchium halophilum Greene
  83. Sisyrinchium hasslerianum Baker
  84. Sisyrinchium hintoniorum G.L.Nesom
  85. Sisyrinchium hirsutum Baker
  86. Sisyrinchium hitchcockii Douglass M.Hend.
  87. Sisyrinchium hoehnei I.M.Johnst.
  88. Sisyrinchium humahuacense C.A.Zanotti
  89. Sisyrinchium hypsophilum I.M.Johnst. ex R.C.Foster
  90. Sisyrinchium idahoense E.P.Bicknell
  91. Sisyrinchium igatimiense Ravenna
  92. Sisyrinchium iguazuanum C.D.Inácio, L.Eggers & Chauveau
  93. Sisyrinchium inclinatum Ravenna
  94. Sisyrinchium intihuatanense (Vargas) Ravenna
  95. Sisyrinchium itabiritense Ravenna
  96. Sisyrinchium ivanii R.C.Foster
  97. Sisyrinchium jacquelineanum Art.Castro, H.Ávila & J.G.González
  98. Sisyrinchium jamesonii Baker
  99. Sisyrinchium johnstonii Standl.
  100. Sisyrinchium laetum (Ravenna) J.M.Watson & A.R.Flores
  101. Sisyrinchium laevigatum Ravenna
  102. Sisyrinchium langloisii Greene
  103. Sisyrinchium laterale Baker
  104. Sisyrinchium latiusculum Ravenna
  105. Sisyrinchium laxum Otto ex Sims
  106. Sisyrinchium limarinum Ravenna
  107. Sisyrinchium littorale Greene
  108. Sisyrinchium longipes (E.P.Bicknell) Kearney & Peebles
  109. Sisyrinchium longispathum Conz.
  110. Sisyrinchium luzula Klotzsch ex Klatt
  111. Sisyrinchium macranthum Griseb.
  112. Sisyrinchium macrocarpum Hieron.
  113. Sisyrinchium macrophyllum Greenm.
  114. Sisyrinchium magnicapsulare J.M.Watson
  115. Sisyrinchium maipoanum Ravenna
  116. Sisyrinchium mandonii Baker
  117. Sisyrinchium marchioides Ravenna
  118. Sisyrinchium martense Ravenna
  119. Sisyrinchium megapotamicum Malme
  120. Sisyrinchium miamiense E.P.Bicknell
  121. Sisyrinchium micranthum Cav.
  122. Sisyrinchium microbracteatum G.L.Nesom
  123. Sisyrinchium minus Engelm. & A.Gray
  124. Sisyrinchium minutiflorum Klatt
  125. Sisyrinchium montanum Greene
  126. Sisyrinchium mucronatum Michx.
  127. Sisyrinchium myrioflorum E.L.Keith
  128. Sisyrinchium nanum Phil.
  129. Sisyrinchium nashii E.P.Bicknell
  130. Sisyrinchium nembyense Ravenna
  131. Sisyrinchium nidulare (Hand.-Mazz.) I.M.Johnst.
  132. Sisyrinchium nigricans Gay
  133. Sisyrinchium novoleonense G.L.Nesom & L.Hern.
  134. Sisyrinchium obconicum Ravenna
  135. Sisyrinchium orbiculatum Ravenna
  136. Sisyrinchium ostenianum Beauverd
  137. Sisyrinchium oxyspathum Ravenna
  138. Sisyrinchium pachyrhizum Baker
  139. Sisyrinchium pallidum Cholewa & Douglass M.Hend.
  140. Sisyrinchium palmifolium L.
  141. Sisyrinchium palustre Diels
  142. Sisyrinchium pampeanum C.D.Inácio & L.Eggers
  143. Sisyrinchium papillosum R.C.Foster
  144. Sisyrinchium paramorum Ravenna
  145. Sisyrinchium parvifolium Baker
  146. Sisyrinchium patagonicum Phil. ex Baker
  147. Sisyrinchium paucispathum Ravenna
  148. Sisyrinchium pearcei Phil.
  149. Sisyrinchium pendulum Ravenna
  150. Sisyrinchium planicola Ceja & Cholewa
  151. Sisyrinchium platense I.M.Johnst.
  152. Sisyrinchium platycaule Baker
  153. Sisyrinchium platyphyllum S.Watson
  154. Sisyrinchium plicatulum Ravenna
  155. Sisyrinchium praealtum Kraenzl.
  156. Sisyrinchium pringlei B.L.Rob. & Greenm.
  157. Sisyrinchium pruinosum E.P.Bicknell
  158. Sisyrinchium purpurellum Ravenna
  159. Sisyrinchium pusillum Kunth
  160. Sisyrinchium quadrangulatum Klatt
  161. Sisyrinchium radicatum E.P.Bicknell
  162. Sisyrinchium rambonis R.C.Foster
  163. Sisyrinchium rectilineum Ravenna
  164. Sisyrinchium rectivalvatum Ravenna
  165. Sisyrinchium reitzii R.C.Foster
  166. Sisyrinchium restioides Spreng.
  167. Sisyrinchium rigidifolium Baker
  168. Sisyrinchium rosengurttii I.M.Johnst.
  169. Sisyrinchium sagittiferum E.P.Bicknell
  170. Sisyrinchium sarmentosum Suksd. ex Greene
  171. Sisyrinchium scabrum Schltdl. & Cham.
  172. Sisyrinchium scalarium Ravenna
  173. Sisyrinchium scariosum I.M.Johnst.
  174. Sisyrinchium schaffneri S.Watson
  175. Sisyrinchium schottii Herter
  176. Sisyrinchium sectiandrum C.D.Inácio & L.Eggers
  177. Sisyrinchium sellowianum Klatt
  178. Sisyrinchium septentrionale E.P.Bicknell
  179. Sisyrinchium serrulatum (E.P.Bicknell) Espejo & López-Ferr.
  180. Sisyrinchium setaceum Klatt
  181. Sisyrinchium sinuosum Ravenna
  182. Sisyrinchium soboliferum Ravenna
  183. Sisyrinchium somuncurense Ravenna
  184. Sisyrinchium striatum Sm.
  185. Sisyrinchium strictum E.P.Bicknell
  186. Sisyrinchium subalpinum Henrich & Goldblatt
  187. Sisyrinchium subcernuum (E.P.Bicknell) Henrich & Goldblatt
  188. Sisyrinchium subnudum I.M.Johnst.
  189. Sisyrinchium subtile Ravenna
  190. Sisyrinchium tafiense Ravenna
  191. Sisyrinchium teleanthum Ravenna
  192. Sisyrinchium tenuifolium Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.
  193. Sisyrinchium tinctorium Kunth
  194. Sisyrinchium tofoense Ravenna
  195. Sisyrinchium tolucense Peyr.
  196. Sisyrinchium translucens (E.P.Bicknell) Espejo & López-Ferr.
  197. Sisyrinchium trichanthum Dusén
  198. Sisyrinchium trichospathum (Ravenna) C.D.Inácio & L.Eggers
  199. Sisyrinchium trinerve Baker
  200. Sisyrinchium tucumanum Ravenna
  201. Sisyrinchium uliginosum Ravenna
  202. Sisyrinchium unguiculatum Griseb.
  203. Sisyrinchium unispathaceum Klatt
  204. Sisyrinchium usneoides C.D.Inácio & Antunes
  205. Sisyrinchium vaginatum Spreng.
  206. Sisyrinchium valparadiseum Ravenna
  207. Sisyrinchium venezolense Ravenna
  208. Sisyrinchium vestitum Ravenna
  209. Sisyrinchium weirii Baker
  210. Sisyrinchium wettsteinii Hand.-Mazz.
  211. Sisyrinchium xerophyllum Greene
  212. Sisyrinchium zamudioi Espejo, López-Ferr. & Ceja

More Than Just a Pretty Face

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, I’ve come to admire Sisyrinchium for their resilience and adaptability. They thrive in a variety of habitats, from meadows and prairies to rocky slopes and woodland edges. They’re a testament to the enduring power of nature, flourishing in the face of adversity.

I find a profound sense of peace when I observe these unassuming wildflowers. They remind me that beauty can be found in the simplest of things, and that strength and resilience are often hidden within delicate forms.

My journey with Sisyrinchium has been a journey of discovery and appreciation. It’s a reminder to slow down, observe the world around me, and find joy in the subtle wonders that often go unnoticed. The next time you find yourself wandering through a meadow, take a moment to appreciate the quiet beauty of blue-eyed grass. You might just find yourself captivated, as I have been.

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