Saxon-Norman-Broad, Wilkes County, Georgia: Dixie Reindeer lichen, Eastern Redbud & Atlantic Blue-eye Grass(?)

March 23rd, 2012. We had a few hours. The weather wasn’t great but we felt like getting out. So we drove one of the back roads in Wilkes County, Georgia. We drove out to Lexington on US-78 and turned north on GA-77 to the road marked as the Saxon-Mattox Road. It’s the last road before the Broad River crossing. This road runs from Saxon to Norman and then to Broad. On DeLorme’s Georgia Atlas & Gazetteer, the road begins as Goose Pond Road and then becomes CR-113 to Norman. The section from Norman to Broad is Norman Rd NE. We didn’t really expect to see much but we were really in for a pleasant surprise. This road runs roughly parallel to the Broad River through dry pine and deciduous forests. Periodically the road dips to cross creeks that drain into the Broad River.

On the high ground in the woods, it wasn’t unusual to find…

Cladonia subtenuis (Dixie reindeer lichen) and moss. The moss was still green due to the rain we’ve been having recently

A closer view

Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) was blooming throughout the woods.

And then the real find on the high ground…

Sisyrinchium species (blue-eyed grass). I’m not sure what species this is. At first I thought it was Sisyrinchium mucronatum (Needle-tip blue-eyed-grass) but I’ve never seen this species with clusters of flowers at the tip. Now I’m wondering if it’s Sisyrinchium atlanticum (Atlantic Blue-eyed Grass).

A closer view of these blooms. This was an exciting find. We saw just one small patch of these plants by CR-113, not far from GA-17; we’ve never seen it anywhere else in spite of seeing several Sisyrinchium species. Does anyone have information on this plant. I’d be interested to find out if my tentative identification is correct or to obtain an accurate identification.

To be continued…
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Identification resources:
University of Georgia: A Guide to Twelve Common & Conspicuous Lichens of Georgia’s Piedmont

Southeastern Flora:
- Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)
- Sisyrinchium mucronatum (Needle-tip blue-eyed-grass)

Name that Plant:
- Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud, Judas Tree)
- Sisyrinchium atlanticum (Atlantic Blue-eyed Grass)
- Sisyrinchium mucronatum (Blue-eyed Grass)

Distribution
University of Norh Carolina Herbarium:
- Cercis canadensis var. canadensis
- Sisyrinchium atlanticum
- Sisyrinchium mucronatum

USDA Plants Database
- Cercis canadensis var. canadensis (Eastern Redbud)
- Sisyrinchium mucronatum (Needletip Blue-eyed Grass)
- Sisyrinchium atlanticum (Eastern Blue-eyed Grass)

Related posts:
- Saxon-Norman-Broad, Wilkes County, Georgia: Prostrate Blue Violet, Green-and-gold & Trumpet Honeysuckle
- Saxon-Norman-Broad, Wilkes County, Georgia: Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)
- Saxon-Norman-Broad, Wilkes County, Georgia: Luna Moth (Actias luna)
- Saxon-Norman-Broad, Wilkes County, Georgia: Down In The Creek Bottom
- Saxon-Norman-Broad, Wilkes County, Georgia: Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)
- Needle-tip Blue-eyed-Grass (Sisyrinchium mucronatum)

Needle-tip Blue-eyed-Grass (Sisyrinchium mucronatum)

Sisyrinchium mucronatum is known by the common name Needle-tip Blue-eyed-grass. This species is one of several Sisyrinchium species that may be found in Georgia. The flower petals of this species are of equal width to the tip at which they decrease quite acutely and extend in a needle-like tip. Similar to Sisyrinchium rosulatum, Sisyrinchium mucronatum flowers are approximately 1/2 inch across, and blend into the background until you’re almost on top of them. In contrast to Sisyrinchium rosulatum whose highlight color is purple, Sisyrinchium mucronatum flowers are clearly blue.

In Fort Yargo State Park, I’ve seen Sisyrinchium mucronatum at in an open area and a shaded area midway along segment 13. I’ve seen these flowers at home: in the open by the creek and along the drive as well as in the woods where they grow in complete shade.

Flowers in the grass in an open area midway along segment 13 in Fort Yargo State Park

A little closer

Up close. This photograph shows the needle-tipped shape of the petals and the blue color; compare with Sisyrinchium rosulatum

This photograph is of a flower growing in complete shade. It shows the grass-like leaf and a developing seedpod immediately to the left of the flower.

Sisyrinchium mucronatum (Needle-tip blue-eyed-grass) is found in the eastern United States and Canada from Saskatchewan to Quebec, but not the maritime provinces, and in an arc from North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and south to Illinois, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. It is found in all states east of this line with the exception of Indiana, Kentucky and Florida.
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Distribution Map:
United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database:
- Sisyrinchium rosulatum (Annual blue-eyed grass)
- Sisyrinchium mucronatum (Needle-tip blue-eyed-grass)
University of North Carolina Herbarium:
- Sisyrinchium mucronatum (Blue-eyed Grass)
- Sisyrinchium rosulatum (Annual Blue-eyed Grass, Lawn Blue-eyed Grass)

Identification resources:
Southeastern Flora:
- Needle-tip Blue-eyed-grass (Sisyrinchium mucronatum)
- Annual blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium rosulatum)
Alabama Plants: Sisyrinchium rosulatum

Related posts:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower
- Annual blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium rosulatum)