Family – Iridaceae
Stems:
Plant base.
Leaves:
N/A
Inflorescence:
N/A
Flowers:
Flowering – April – June.
Habitat – Lawns, fields, waste ground, roadsides, railroads.
Origin – Native to South America.
Other information – This attractive species can be found in the southern portion of Alabama. The plant is easily identified in the field by its light blue flowers (with a dark center), compressed aerial stems, and ascending stems. The plant is a fast-growing annual.
The genus name Sisyrinchium derives from the Greek “sisyrinchi(um)” meaning “an Iris-like plant”; used by Theophrastis.
The species epithet rosulatum means “with leaf rosettes.”
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken in Hunter, Alabama, 4-9-05.