Family: Xyridaceae — yellow-eyed-grass family

Plants in the Xyridaceae are annual or perennial herbs growing in wetlands or other wet habitats. The leaves grow alternately along the stem in 2 ranks and are set edge-to-stem. The leaves are long and slender, with parallel veins. The flowers are arranged at the tip of the stem in a spike that resembles a cone. The flowers have both pollen-bearing and ovule-bearing parts and are actinomorphic (radially symmetrical). There are 3 sepals, two larger than the third; 3 petals, and 3 stamens. There is 1 style with 3 stigmas. The fruit is a capsule that splits open to release the many small seeds.

This family’s genera in New England

• Xyris

Visit this family in the Dichotomous Key

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