woodland wildflower
Western blue-eyed grass
Sisyrinchium bellum
1 of 2Native to California and Oregon
Baja California north to California west of the Cascades to Vancouver Island, British Columbia
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–May Flowering time
- Height up to 18 in to 46 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade. At up to 18 in, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Yellow-faced Bumble Bee
also Western Honey Bee, Ligated Furrow Bee, Black-tailed Bumble Bee +6 more
Tripartite Sweat Bee, Agapostemon texanus, California Digger Bee, Pacific Green Small-Mason, Osmia nemoris, Blue-and-black Mining Bee - Flower flies Margined Calligrapher
also Large-tailed Aphideater, Western Aphideater, Western Calligrapher +1 more
Fazia micrura - Butterflies Common Buckeye also Mourning Cloak, Euchloe ausonides ausonides, Southern Silvery Blue
- Also visited by
- Beetles: Spotless Lady Beetle
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Common buckeyenectar
- Mourning cloaknectar
- Silvery bluenectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- California and OregonUnited States (2): CA, OR. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Baja California north to California west of the Cascades to Vancouver Island, British ColumbiaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Soil
- Various soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 18 in (to 46 cm)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Blue, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- CapsuleThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.