Sisyrinchium is belongs to Iridaceae (Iris) family, they are commonly called Blue-Eyed Grass. There are more than 75 species of these plants which all native to the Americas and the Caribbean. These plants bear starry, yellow, white, or blue to violet flowers with six petals like segments and wiry, fibrous rootstalks. California is home to about eight species of Sisyrinchium, but bellum is the most widespread.

Sisyrinchium bellum, is called Common Blue-Eyed Grass of California, native to California, Oregon and west of the Sierra Nevada. The genus name Sisyrinchium comes from an old Greek word that means iris-like plant. Bellum means handsome. Sisyrinchium bellum grows as a perennial plant in open particularly grassy areas where there is some moisture, though it can also be found in woodlands and at altitudes up to 2,400 metres.

The stems of California Blue-Eyed Grass can grow as long as 60 centimetres, though they are often 15-30 centimetres toll. Dark-green leaves are flattened, narrow, grass like and sword-shaped, attach to the compact stem at the soil surface. Sisyrinchium bellum flowers from February to June with a peak in April.  Branched flower stalks rises from the base, bearing umbrella-like clusters of small purple-blue flowers with yellow centres which have six petals. Flowers are 1–2 centimetres in diameter; occasional white-flowering plants are found. Yellow coloured middle of the flower contains fused group of stamens and a style. Individual flowers last only one day but are produced in great quantities. The flowers are arranged in umbel-like clusters at stem tips. Flowering is followed by dark brown fruit that often release abundant seed, allowing the spread of the plant in the garden. Fruit is a capsule with three internal seed-containing chambers. After flowering, plant dies to the ground and is dormant over the summer.

California Blue-Eyed Grass prefers some moisture and any soil; sandy or heavy, as long as there is good drainage. Also tolerates summer dryness. It can be propagated by seed, and it self-sows. It can also be propagated by division of rhizomes, and the flower stems can be rooted. It is moderately hardy and will tolerate temperatures down to −18 °C.

Use in Landscape: Sisyrinchium bellum is a great plant for borders, containers, or massed on a grassy slope in the garden. It is particularly useful in heavier soils where other plants have a more difficult time and once planted will often colonize into open spaces in the garden. California Blue-Eyed Grass may be well done at sun or some shade, it is also resistant to fire. It is a great plant in combination with bunch grasses, sedges, California poppy and lupine for a natural meadow or in the mixed border or even a container planting.

Spanish settlers in California made a tea from the roots of the plant, which they used for treating fevers. Native Americans found the roots and leaves useful in treating stomach problems.