Contrary to what its common name suggests, the Pale Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium sarmentosum) is not a grass at all. Although its narrow, flat leaves are grass-like, it is a member of the Iris family! Featuring pale blue and occasionally white flowers, this G2-Imperiled species can historically be found in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia — and was inducted into CPC’s National Collection in 1988.

For decades, the U.S. Forest Service and The Berry Botanic Garden (now the Rae Selling Berry Seed Bank) have worked together to study the impacts of cattle grazing and noxious weeds in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington. They have learned that cattle seek out this plant and eat the leaves, flowers and fruits, virtually eliminating seed production. However, when under this stress, the Pale Blue-Eyed Grass reproduces through the production of rhizomes and are able to persist. Under these conditions, however, there is little opportunity to increase genetic variability and a large population of clones will not ensure the survival of the species, as they will be ill equipped to adapt to changing conditions. Other threats to this species include sheep and other domestic livestock grazing, changes in hydrology (especially changes resulting from road building and other human activities), recreation (camping and off-road vehicle use), and interspecific competition (including natural succession).

Pale Blue-Eyed Grass is stewarded in CPC’s National Collection by Conservation Partners Rae Selling Berry Seed Bank & Plant Conservation Program and the Center for the Reproduction of Endangered Wildlife at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (CREW). Researchers at CREW developed germination and propagation protocols for Pale Blue-Eyed Grass including the specific tissue culture methods developed at The Berry Botanic Garden.

Visit CPC’s Plant Profiles to learn more about the fascinating rare species held in CPC’s National Collection, and what botanical institutions within our network are working to conserve them. Within each Plant Profile, you’ll find detailed taxonomy, images, updates from conservation scientists, and connected videos and case studies from the Rare Plant Academy.

Where should you start? Read more about the Pale Blue-Eyed Grass!