Intro: Scapose perennial from a clump of linear leaves, found in moist savannas and scrub oak sandhills.

Stems: Stem minutely ridged or 2-ribbed, twisted.

Leaves: Leaves basal, linear, to 20 in. long, spirally twisted and overlapping at the base, the outer ones short, scale-like and reddish-brown.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in a short, cone-like spike at top of stem, each bud concealed in a single yellowish to light-brown (with green center), scale-like bract. Typically, a single yellow or white, 3-petaled flower opens at a time, usually in afternoon.

Fruits:

Comments: The carolina yellow-eyed-grass is an interesting and easily identified wildflower present in moist sandy soils throughout the NC sandhills and low-country. Flowers in the Xyridaceae emerge from a cone-like structure perched at the top of a leafless stalk. It blooms in June and July. The perfect yellow flowers open in the afternoon with three petals and three stamens. Once pollinated, seeds mature within the tightly closed cone structure. When the cone is dry, it opens and releases the tiny seeds. X. Caroliniana can be distinguished from other Xyris species by the chestnut brown color at the base of the leaves.

Height: 8 -36 in.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Scapose perennial from a clump of linear leaves, found in moist savannas and scrub oak sandhills.

stems: Stem minutely ridged or 2-ribbed, twisted.

leaves: Leaves basal, linear, to 20 in. long, spirally twisted and overlapping at the base, the outer ones short, scale-like and reddish-brown.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in a short, cone-like spike at top of stem, each bud concealed in a single yellowish to light-brown (with green center), scale-like bract. Typically, a single yellow or white, 3-petaled flower opens at a time, usually in afternoon.

fruits:

comments: The carolina yellow-eyed-grass is an interesting and easily identified wildflower present in moist sandy soils throughout the NC sandhills and low-country. Flowers in the Xyridaceae emerge from a cone-like structure perched at the top of a leafless stalk. It blooms in June and July. The perfect yellow flowers open in the afternoon with three petals and three stamens. Once pollinated, seeds mature within the tightly closed cone structure. When the cone is dry, it opens and releases the tiny seeds. X. Caroliniana can be distinguished from other Xyris species by the chestnut brown color at the base of the leaves.

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: southeastern United States