Golden-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium californicum), or California Blue-eyed Grass, is found primarily along the Pacific coast, with a native range extending from southern Alaska down to Baja and occasional inland montane populations. It thrives in a variety of seasonally damp habitats including meadows, coastal prairies, seeps, and open streambanks. Like other members of the Iris family, the sword-shaped leaves are clasped into a fan arrangement and can display lustrous hues of blue. The small, golden, six-petalled flowers, however, are quite unlike typical Iris blooms.
 
Golden-eyed Grass blooms from spring to early summer, typically from April to June. The little yellow flowers are especially attractive to small native bees, and plants have a symbiotic relationship with beneficial syrphid flies (hoverflies), for whom the plants act as a larval host in exchange for pest protection. Besides assisting in pollination, adult syrphid flies are attracted to the damp, bowl-like structures created by clumps of Golden-eyed Grass, which provide an ideal egg-laying site. At the same time plants are most prone to aphid infestation in the summer, the predatory syrphid fly larvae hatch and climb the leaves in search of their first meal. The larvae possess a sharp proboscis highly adapted for feeding on aphids, and within a few days of emergence can eliminate otherwise fatal infestations. Additionally, the grass-like foliage provides cover for small wildlife such as birds, insects, and rodents. As a member of the Iris family and like other Sisyrinchium, the plants are mildly toxic and highly resistant to deer and other herbivores.
 
Golden-eyed Grass prefers well-drained to damp soils and is adaptable to sand, loam, rocky, or clay soils. The seeds have little or no dormancy and can be surface sown directly on prepared soil in early spring through summer, as long as soils are kept moist. Seedlings will benefit from mild fertilization once established and spring-sown plants can bloom in their first year given proper sun, water, and nutrients. Plants typically only live 3-4 years and often do not survive harsh winters but will successfully reestablish themselves in ideal conditions.