Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii
Purple-eyed-grass, grass widows, Grass Widows
Ian Poellet (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA
Family: Iridaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii (Purple-eyed-grass) is a native California herb in the Iridaceae family, recognized by Southern range edge of a primarily Pacific Northwest genus.
Purple-eyed-grass is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, and Modoc Plateau in open, vernally moist places at elevations below 2,200 meters. Flowering in spring, this plant produces delicate purple flowers with distinctive eye-like centers, typically 18 to 33 millimeters long. Growing in strongly tufted clusters less than 31 centimeters tall, it forms dense, compact clumps with slender stems. Its leaves are narrow and grass-like, emerging from the base in tight, clustered arrangements. The plant's unique filament tube enlarges slightly above its base, giving it a characteristic structural elegance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Southern range edge of a primarily Pacific Northwest genus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, vernally moist, often rocky places
Elevation: < 2200 m
California counties: Modoc, Siskiyou, Lassen, Humboldt, Trinity
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii blooms Spring.
How to tell it apart
vs Sisyrinchium: Roll the stem between your fingers - round = Olsynium, flattened/winged = Sisyrinchium.; vs Iris: Olsynium has small umbrella clusters of flowers; Iris has large single flowers with distinctive falls.; vs Sparaxis: Olsynium has round stems and fused filaments; Sparaxis has flattened stems and free stamens.; vs Chasmanthe: Olsynium has symmetrical flowers in umbels; Chasmanthe has one-sided spikes of tubular flowers.; vs Crocosmia: Olsynium has umbrella-like flower clusters; Crocosmia has arching one-sided flower spikes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii native to California?
Yes. Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii bloom?
Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii blooms Spring.
Where in California does Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii grow?
Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii occurs in Modoc, Siskiyou, Lassen, Humboldt, Trinity, at elevations of < 2200 m.
What plant family does Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii belong to?
Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii is in the Iridaceae family, genus Olsynium.
What habitat does Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii grow in?
Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii grows in Open, vernally moist, often rocky places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.