Sisyrinchium (Blue-eyed grass) is the largest genus of the Iridaceae family in the Americas. There are about 140 species of this genus, distributed to North America, Caribbean and temperate South America. Despite their common name, the plants are not true grasses. They bear starry, yellow, white, or blue to violet flowers with six petal like segments and wiry, fibrous rootstalks.

 Sisyrinchium striatum, is an evergreen herbaceous, perennial plant with a clump forming habit in the family Iridaceae. It is native to Argentina and Chile, grows in alpine grasslands, open woods and herbaceous meadows. Sisyrinchium was derived from the Greek ‘sys’ pig and ‘rynchos’ snout, referring to the roots being consumed by swine. Specific epithet striatum is derived from the Latin ‘striatus’ meaning striped (attributed the purple stripes on the petals).

Pale Yellow Eyed Grass’s two cm wide, grey green leaves are linear to lance shaped and iris-like but double ranked, make an erect stem a height of 60–80 centimetres. Naked flower spikes rise in May-June to 60-90 cm tall bearing clusters of cup-shaped, pale yellow flowers with golden centres. Each flower has six tepals with longitudinal dark purple stripes on the backsides. The flowers only last a day but there are always lots of open flowers from May to June. Flowers are followed by black seed pods. Leaves may yellow after bloom, at which point the clumps may be sheared back to 12 cm to tidy the foliage for the remaining part of the growing season. Plants will spread over time by creeping rootstocks to form large clumps. When the leaves die, they may go black and look very unsightly, especially in winter.

Sisyrinchium striatum, best grown in moist, well-drained light soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade, many different soil conditions but prefers neutral or alkaline pH levels. Plants have some drought tolerance once established. Production is made by dividing clumps in spring or by seeds. It can take at least -10ºC. frost.

 Use in Landscape: Pale Yellow Eyed Grass is an adaptable evergreen perennial, it looks at home in most styles, particularly suiting Mediterranean gardens. It can be used at rock gardens, cottage gardens, border fronts or open woodland gardens. It looks wonderful when used in groups or massed. When large clumps are in full flower, with multitudes of flower spikes, it makes for a wonderful sight. It is useful as a ground cover. After establishing Sisyrinchium striatum is drought tolerant. Its uniquely coloured flowers are pale yellow, stained with a deeper golden hue, with delicate stripes along the length of each petal, giving a richness to their colour that sets them apart from other yellow flowered species. It is easy to grow in pots also happy in coastal conditions in full sun or light shade. The plant will attract many pollinating insects such as honeybees.