Tennessee Yelloweyed Grass

Description

Xyris tennesseensis is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Xyridaceae known by the common name Tennessee yellow-eyed grass. It is native to a small section of the Southeastern United States, including parts of the states of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.A federally listed endangered species, it is threatened by the loss and degradation of its habitat. X. tennesseensis is a perennial herb growing 30 to 70 centimetres (12 to 28 in) tall. The branching stem is bulbous and fleshy at the base. The leaves are long and narrow and originate at the swollen stem base. They are up to 45 centimeters (18 inches) long and not more than a centimeter (0.4 inch) 45/2.5wide. They are flat but sometimes twisted, and green with reddish or pink bases.The inflorescence at the tip of the stem is a cone-like spike covered in tough brown scales. The flowers within are pale yellow. Each spike generally produces one flower per day, or sometimes two.The flower opens for a short time in the late morning and closes by mid-afternoon. Blooming occurs in August and September.The plants are pollinated by insects, especially the sweat bee Lasioglossum zephyrum, which has been observed opening the buds to remove pollen before the flower opens, as to ensure it has first and exclusive access to the pollen.