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BLUE-EYED GRASS
Blue-eyed grass was first discovered in Northern Ireland in 1889 at Derryvore, near Crom in County Fermanagh, but has been recorded in wild areas in most counties of Western Ireland from Cork to Donegal since 1845.
The delicate plant is believed to be a native of Ireland, but may in fact be a mid-19th century accidental introduction.
The naming of the plant is somewhat misleading. Botanists first named it scientifically as Sisyrinchium bermudiana, quite wrongly believing it was confined to the Caribbean island of Bermuda. Meanwhile, the common name of "blue-eyed grass" can also be confusing, since really it is a perennial herb related to the iris family, not grasses.
However, the name may stem from the relatively long, narrow, grass-like leaves that form a miniature fan and which sometimes develop into a tuft or clump in older, well-established plants.
Nevertheless, it is the small, star-like, pale to bright blue flowers with their contrasting yellow centres, that open only in bright sunlight, that make it distinguishable when they are produced from June to August.
It is a plant of wet pastures, lake shores and grass verges that is widespread in North America however, in Europe it is only found as a wild plant in Ireland.
Many of the locations of the dainty plant in Ireland are remote from houses and gardens, which supports the suggestion that it is a native species; while in Britain the numerous scattered records are of a larger, brighter blue flower colour and all are considered to be garden escapes.
As most populations of the plant are small and isolated, often being very easily overlooked, we need to help protect and support those still present in Northern Ireland.
The fact that blue-eyed grass is also susceptible to chance extreme events, including excessive trampling, over or under-grazing, drainage, flooding or prolonged drought, led to it being listed as a priority species in Northern Ireland in 2004.
Blue-eyed grass is protected locally under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, unlike in the Republic of Ireland where it is considered too frequent to merit legal protection.
Did you know?
Each blue-eyed grass flower only opens in full sunlight and lasts just a day or two.
Without the open flower, the plant is virtually invisible amongst grass and other herbs in the vegetation.
Where can I see blue-eyed grass in Northern Ireland?
It is believed that blue-eyed grass is very local in its distribution in Northern Ireland, being almost exclusively confined to wet pastures, shallow sloping lake shores and along grassy roadside verges in a few areas in the Lough Erne and western plateau regions of County Fermanagh.
What can I do to help blue-eyed grass?
You can report all sightings of the plant to CEDaR – contact 028 90383150. Given the history of mis-recording, it is best if small voucher specimens are collected, but as this is a Protected Species, it must NOT be picked, and ALL collecting must be done under licence by authorised personnel.
You could volunteer for any future monitoring schemes or assist with habitat management.
In addition, visitors to sites where the species grows must avoid excessive trampling or any other form of disturbance of the local surroundings. This advice also applies to photographers and field naturalists interested in studying or recording the plant.
Landowners within the West Fermanagh and Erne Lakeland Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) can sign up to a grassland management option within the current agri-environment scheme. Those outside can sign up to other DARD Countryside Management Schemes. The National Trust, the RSPB and other landowners are taking action to monitor, conserve and enhance the blue-eyed grass populations on their ground.
For more information about blue-eyed grass
You can find species information at the Environment and Heritage website www.ehsni.gov.uk and at www.habitas.org.uk