(Applies only to those plant families identified within the Wildflowers of Escambia site. When the page has loaded, scroll down to find the general plant family description you seek.)

Xyridaceae (Yellow-eyed Grass) -- Yellow-Eyed Grass is an herb with grass-like leaves and tall leafless stalks each bearing a single flower at the tip.

Yellow-eyed Grass Xyris iridifolia

Supporting the flower is a series of bracts which form a cylindrical head that looks like a miniature pineapple. There are two recorded genera and some 40 species, mostly found in tropical regions; many of these in Florida and southern Alabama. The Escambia region is host to two -- Xyris iridifolia and X. torta. The major difference in the two is that torta reaches a height of about one foot, while iridifolia may reach heights of three feet. The leaf of iridifolia is up to 24 inches long; X. torta leaves are narrow and twisted, reaching lengths of about 12 inches.