Flower profile
Grasswidow
Olsynium douglasii
Grasswidow is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Washington it's most often seen in bloom in February–May.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Washington
Quick look
Olsynium douglasii is a species of flowering plant in the iris family (Iridaceae). Common names include Douglas' olsynium, Douglas' grasswidow, grass-widow, blue-eyed grass, purple-eyed-grass, and satin flower, It is the only species in the genus Olsynium in North America, the remaining 11 species being from South America. It was formerly treated in the related genus Sisyrinchium.
- It belongs to the Iridaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 6 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to Washington. NatureServe
- In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in February–May. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 2,219 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #83 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist
Grasswidow gift ideas
Handmade grasswidow gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
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Grasswidow art print
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Grasswidow greeting card
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Grasswidow mug
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Grasswidow earrings
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Grasswidow embroidery pattern
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Grasswidow sticker
When does it bloom?
In Washington, most flowering sightings come in February–May.
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G4 Apparently secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Washington
- No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
- Rare elsewhere
- Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: UT (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records grasswidow in 6 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington.
Washington counties with USDA records: Asotin, Chelan, Clallam, Columbia, Garfield, Island, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima.
More Washington flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile OLDO.
- iNaturalist, Olsynium douglasii: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Olsynium douglasii (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Olsynium douglasii (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
- Photo: Cindy Bell via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.