Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Tuesday - June 16, 2015

From: Ben Lomond, CA
Region: California
Topic: Plant Identification, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs
Title: A blue-eyed grass with salmon-colored blooms?
Answered by: Guy Thompson

QUESTION:

Has anyone heard of a blue-eyed grass variety that has salmon-colored blooms? I have a photo if needed.

ANSWER:

I suspect you have seen a close relative of Sisyrinchium bellum (Western blue-eyed grass) that has yellow or golden petals. Petals of this species, Sisyrinchium californicum (Golden blue-eyed grass), may seem salmon-colored under some conditions. A different species, Sisyrinchium rosulatum (Annual blue-eyed grass), sometimes has yellowish flowers, but it does not seem to be found in your area.

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