Sisyrinchium biforme
Family: Iridaceae
Plant Description: Perennial with erect, narrowly winged stems 20 – 45 cm high by 2-3 mm wide. Lower leaves 1.5 – 3 mm wide. Spathes 1.7 – 2 cm long. Tepals 8 – 10 mm long, light violet-blue.
Plant Trivia: Apparently, hybridizing with other species locally on the coastal mainland. While the common name suggests that it is a grass, it certainly is not.
Field Identification: The floral bracts are green; S. langloisii has bracts that are purplish basally.
Occurrence: Frequent on Padre and Mustang islands in swales and depressions, also occasional south of Ingleside, north of Rockport.
Bloom Period: March – November
Plant Use:
Key to the Genus Sisyrinchium:
- Tepals 4 – 6 mm long…………………………………………………………..S. minus
Tepals 8 – 15 mm long……………………………………………………………………….2
2. First node usually 4 – 8 cm above the base……………..S. langloisii
First node usually 15 cm or more above the base……..S. biforme
