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Native Plant Propagation Guidelines:
forbs

Olsynium douglasii var. douglasii (satinflower)

Category: 
forbs

photo by Moralea Milne      

Tufted perennial herb, 15-30 cm tall with greyish-green, grass-like leaves. Flowers are purple with a satiny sheen, up to 4 cm across and very showy. Flowers are terminal above two sheathing leaf-like bracts (one longer than the flower, one shorter) on stems which are flattened but not winged. Small, brown, finely pitted seeds within three-chambered seed capsule to 1 cm long (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994). Photo by Moralea Milne.

Scientific Name: 

Olsynium douglasii (A. Deitr.) Bickn. (Sisyrinchium douglasii A. Dietr., S. inflatum [Suksd.] St. John = var. inflatum)

Family: 
Iridaceae
English Name: 
satinflower
Other Names: 
purple blue-eyed grass (var. inflatum); Douglas’ blue-eyed grass (var. douglasii); grass widows

Geographical Range and Habitat Requirements

Ecological Setting: 

Dry rocky bluffs and meadows, open oak woodlands at low to middle elevations (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994).

Soil Texture: 

Shallow, mossy soil (Hebda, 1995).

Nutrients: 
n/a
Soil Reaction and Salinity: 
n/a
Moisture Regime: 

Wet spring soil and dry summer soil (Hebda, 1995).

Shade Tolerance: 

Sun to light shade

Successional Status: 
n/a
BEC Zone and GOE Community Status: 
n/a

Uses

Site Rehabilitation: 
n/a
Wildlife: 
n/a
Landscaping: 

One of the showiest early spring flowers. Wonderful for sunny rock gardens, low border, planter and meadow (S. Bastin personal communication).

First Nations: 
n/a
Other Uses: 
n/a

Seed Propagation

Flowering Time: 

March

Fruit Ripening Time: 

July

Seed Collection Time: 

July-August

Crop Intervals: 

Annual

Number of Seeds per Kilogram: 
n/a
Seed Viability: 

10 – 20%

Fruit and Seed Collection and Extraction: 
n/a
Seed Storage: 
n/a
Fruit/Seed Dormancy and Treatment: 

Sow seed in late summer; leave out for cold moist stratification over winter (Hebda, 1995).

Vegetative Propagation

Satinflower can be successfully propagated by division. Carefully divide rooted pieces of crown in the fall.

Outplanting Characteristics and Requirements

Seedlings are small and take several years to become flowering plants. Divisions are more successful but also slow to establish. Summer drought and dormancy are beneficial. Plant in groups 7-14 cm apart. Drifts are better than single specimens because colonies seem to form better (as in most bulbs). Plant in well-drained soils in full sun (S Bastin, personal communication).

Seed and Cutting Propagation Techniques

n/a

Additional Information and Photos

For more information and pictures, visit the E-Flora BC website at www.eflora.bc.ca.

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