Douglas' Grasswidow
Olsynium douglasii
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Ian Poellet
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Genus:
- Olsynium
- Species:
- Olsynium douglasii
- USDA Symbol:
- OLDO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, violet, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Native to grasslands and meadows with periodic fire; resprouts from corms after burns.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Native to open woodlands and grasslands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification. Can also be propagated by dividing corms in fall.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Extended cold, moist stratification is needed. Seeds should be sown in containers in November and left outside under cool, fluctuating spring temperatures.
Establishment: For other species of Sisyrinchium, seed germination without pretreatment is low. High germination was obtained from seeds sown in containers in November and left outside under cool, fluctuating spring temperatures. Some seed will germinate after a second winter outdoors.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuating outdoor winter temps incl. freezing for 3 months. Increase light/temp in spring.