Iridaceae, the iris family.
Description:
Plant:
Grass-like plant, 6"-18" high, with small, blue to violet, upward-facing flowers near the ends of
long, unbranched, winged stalks. Perennial.
Flowers:
Blue to violet, 1/2"-3/4" across, with six spike-tipped petals (actually tepals, combined petals
and sepals) and a yellow center.
Generally 2-6 flowers form a [[cyme]] near the end of a long, unbranched, winged, stalk,
about 1/8" wide.
Usually only one flower is open at once. A pointed bract extends somewhat above the flowers.
Leaves:
Basal, linear, grasslike, 6"-18" long, 1/8" wide, forming a clump that looks very much like
a clump of grass in the absence of the flowers.
Fruit:
An ovoid capsule.
Blooming:
Late April-June
Habitat:
Moist meadows, banks of streams and ponds.
Comments:
Also referred to as Common Blue-eyed Grass.
One of several native blue-eyed grasses, very similar in general appearance.
Distinguishing characteristics include whether or not the stems are winged, and whether
they are branching.
Where to find it:
Mostly along the shore of the pond on the south side, and at the far west end.
I have also seen a few in the upper meadow area.