One of the plants that I’ve been trying to photograph for years is Shore Blue-eyed Grass. I never seem to get the timing right – I’m either too early and find this iris in bud or too late and it has already gone to seed. The plant also is more showy on bright sunny days which are often rare on the west coast.
Searching for Blue-eyed Grass at South Beach
Today, while out scouting a route for tomorrow’s guided walk about plants that live on rocky outcrops I found several patches of Shore Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium littorale) in bloom at South Beach in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. I was extremely happy to finally have the opportunity to photograph this beautiful member of the Iris Family (Iridaceae). Like both the species and common name suggests, this iris is found close to the ocean. Sisyrinchium is a Greek name for iris and littorale means close to the shore of the ocean.
Identifying Features
This beautiful iris is a wildflower and not a grass, despite its common name. Typically, it has a cluster of basal leaves with a pair of sheathing, leaf-like bracts. The bracts superficially resemble blades of grass. The flowers of the iris are a beautiful blue to purple with distinctive yellow centres. Usually, there are 2 to 4 flowers near the top of the terminal stalk. The plant is small and easy to miss, especially if the flowers are not open. Shore blue-eyed grass is Yellow Listed in British Columbia.
It is worthwhile to keep an eye open for this beautiful little iris while exploring the coastline on Vancouver Island. It is easily overlooked but delightful when it is found.