Sisyrinchium hitchcockii
Hitchcock's blue-eyed-grass
(c) Judi Sanders, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Iridaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Sisyrinchium hitchcockii (Hitchcock's blue-eyed-grass) is a native California herb in the Iridaceae family, recognized by height, rhizomes, and large flowers.
Hitchcock's blue-eyed-grass is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the northern California Coast Ranges in grassy, vernally moist areas at elevations of 200 to 300 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces purple flowers with darker bases, delicately arranged with translucent bract margins. Growing with elongate rhizomes and stems over 50 centimeters tall, it features an unusual growth pattern with few leaf-bearing nodes. Its leaves are characteristic of the blue-eyed-grass genus, emerging from the base of the slender stem. This distinctive species represents a rare and localized population in the Cape Ridge area, highlighting its unique botanical significance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by height, rhizomes, and large flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy, vernally moist areas
Elevation: 200-300 m
California counties: Humboldt
Outside California: to southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Sisyrinchium hitchcockii blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Erodium: Sisyrinchium has iris-like flowers with 6 equal petals; Erodium has 5-petaled geranium flowers.; vs Dipterostemon: Sisyrinchium has flattened winged stems; Dipterostemon has round stems and lily-like flowers.; vs Solanum: Sisyrinchium has 6 petals and grass-like leaves; Solanum has 5 petals and broad leaves.; vs Iris: Sisyrinchium has tiny flowers (<18mm) in clusters; Iris has large showy flowers with distinctive falls.; vs Romulea: Sisyrinchium has flattened winged stems; Romulea has round or 4-angled grooved stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sisyrinchium hitchcockii native to California?
Yes. Sisyrinchium hitchcockii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sisyrinchium hitchcockii bloom?
Sisyrinchium hitchcockii blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Sisyrinchium hitchcockii grow?
Sisyrinchium hitchcockii occurs in Humboldt, at elevations of 200-300 m.
What plant family does Sisyrinchium hitchcockii belong to?
Sisyrinchium hitchcockii is in the Iridaceae family, genus Sisyrinchium.
Is Sisyrinchium hitchcockii rare or endangered?
Sisyrinchium hitchcockii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.