Every spring, when the island’s floral display comes alive, one of the first flowers to emerge is Sisyrinchium bellum or Blue-Eyed Grass. It is commonly found in native grasslands and meadows.
In 2009, with the island’s first planting, we began with a dozen or so 4-inch plants, which have since naturalized throughout the island’s 560-foot perimeter. When in full bloom, it resembles a blue cloud floating above the floor of the island. A member of the iris family, it can be 4-12 inches tall with thick, flattened grass-like foliage and delicate six-petaled flowers tinged with yellow at the base that surround a central cluster of yellow stamens. Their bloom period starts in March with flowers lasting one day, but they continue to bloom throughout Spring. They are favored by many bees, butterflies and other insects.
Their medicinal properties are used for eye problems, respiratory and digestive disorders. Plants naturalize both by rhizomes and seed dispersal. It is summer dormant in dry gardens. After the flowering period, the seeds are collected by cutting the plant at the base. We then scatter seeds around the island and donate the remainder to our local native plant nursery in Novato, Home Ground Habitats where they are propagated into new plants, packaged up for resale and/or donated to community projects.
