Family – Iridaceae
Stems:
Leaves:
N/A
Inflorescence:
Flowers:
Flowering – March – June.
Habitat – Wet, grassy flatwoods, moist fields and prairies, ditches.
Origin – Native to North America.
Other information – This attractive species can be found scattered throughout much of Alabama. This perennial plant can be identified by its flattened scapes and multiple spathes and flowers of the inflorescence. The scapes of this species are 3mm or more wide.
The genus name Sisyrinchium derives from the Greek “sisyrinchi(um)” meaning “an Iris-like plant”; used by Theophrastis.
The species epithet angustifolium derives from the Latin “angust(i)” meaning “thin” and “foli” meaning “a leaf” referring to the the grass-like leaves of this species. It should be mentioned that the leaves of nearly all the species in this genus look like grass and are thin.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken of Hwy 22, Bay County, FL., 3-29-05.