Grasswidow (Olsynium douglasii) is in the iris family family (Iridaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,280 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Grasswidow: observations by month (U.S.)
About Grasswidow
Olsynium douglasii (syn. Sisyrinchium douglasii, Sisyrinchium grandiflorum) is a flowering plant, commonly known as Douglas' olsynium, Douglas' grasswidow, grasswidow, blue-eyed grass, purple-eyed-grass, or satin flower, in the genus Olsynium, native to western North America from southern British Columbia south to northern California, and east to northwest Utah. 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.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Grasswidow by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 681 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Oregon | 556 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Idaho | 37 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Nevada | 6 | April | Apr–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (iris family)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Grasswidow?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from March to April.
Where is Grasswidow most often seen?
The most observations come from Washington, Oregon, Idaho.