PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Pointed Blue-eyed-grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)

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Photo by Troy Evans

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Pointed Blue-eyed-grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in moist prairies and prairie-woodland ecotones, as well as ravines. Blooming occurs early-June through early-July, fruiting throughout July. The optimal identification period for this species is throughout July.

Sisyrinchium graminoides

 
 
 

Pointed blue-eyed-grass is an erect forb, 1.5-5dm tall, with stems that are somewhat spreading, thin and flattened, broadly winged, and 2-4mm wide. It has delicate, blue, ephemeral flowers that are 7-10mm. Its fruit capsules are globose to obovoid, 4-6mm, and loculicidal. Seeds are black and globular. Leaves are mostly 2-6mm wide.

Its broadly winged stem differentiates it from similar species.

Blooming occurs early-June through early-July, fruiting throughout July.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is throughout July.

Associated species include Glyceria striata, Juncus tenuis, Hypericum punctatum, Plantago rugelii, and Prunella vulgaris.

Pointed blue-eyed-grass prefers mesic loamy or sandy soils and is found in moist prairies and prairie-woodland ecotones, as well as ravines.

Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes in open sandy areas dominated by native grasses.

Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial, dependent on local site conditions and burn frequency. Rotational burns with annual unburned refugia may be preferred.

Maintain low canopy cover areas for savanna and barrens plant species.

Survey for and control invasive plants prior to conducting timber operations, as these can be spread by vehicles and often respond vigorously to increased light. See forestry BMPs for invasive species.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.