Taxon Report

Sisyrinchium hitchcockii D.M. Hend.

Hitchcock's blue-eyed grass

Print Report


©2009 Dana York

Taxon Summary

Sisyrinchium hitchcockii, commonly known as Hitchcock's blue-eyed grass, is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the Iridaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Cismontane woodland (openings), and Valley and foothill grassland, growing at elevations from 305 to 305 meters. Sisyrinchium hitchcockii is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Sisyrinchium hitchcockii D.M. Hend.
Common Name:
 Hitchcock's blue-eyed grass
Family: Iridaceae
Element Code: PMIRI0D0S0
USDA Plants Symbol: SIHI4
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial rhizomatous herb
Blooming Period: Jun Jun
Elevation: 305-305 (1000-1000)
General Habitats: Cismontane woodland, Valley and foothill grassland
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 1B.1
Global Rank: G1G2
State Rank:
 S1
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:
  • added to 1B on 2004-06-01

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 1
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 1

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Humboldt (HUM)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Capetown (4012443)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 0
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
0 %

 

Notes
Known in CA from only one occurrence near Cape Ridge. Needs field surveys. Threatened in OR. Sympatric with S. bellum. Distinguishing characters include lack of yellow tepal bases, extensive rhizomes and larger flowers. Not in The Jepson Manual. See Brittonia 28:170 (1976) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2004-06-01
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 17 November 2025].