How much sun does Grass widows need?

Grass widows grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Grass widows bloom?

Grass widows blooms in February, March, and April.

Where is Grass widows native?

Grass widows (Olsynium douglasii) is native to CA, ID, NV, OR and 2 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Grass widows attract?

Grass widows draws small native bees.

Grass widows

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Olsynium douglasii

Last reviewed: October 2026

Grass widows (Olsynium douglasii) is a perennial forb native to CA, ID, NV, OR and 2 more states. It blooms in February, March, and April. The flowers draw small native bees.

Toxicity unknown

Grass widows (Olsynium douglasii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

4"–12" H × 3"–6" W

Bloom

Feb, Mar, Apr

Native to

CA, ID, NV, OR and 2 more states

Pollinators

small native bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range

A small, bulb-forming perennial with grass-like leaves and nodding, deep magenta-purple, iris-relative flowers among the very first blooms of the year. Goes dormant cleanly by early summer.

Growing Grass widows

Grow Grass widows in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 12 inches tall and spread 3 to 6 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Its early flowers are an important nectar source for the first native bees active in late winter.

Common questions

How much sun does Grass widows need?: Grass widows grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Grass widows bloom?: Grass widows blooms in February, March, and April.
Where is Grass widows native?: Grass widows (Olsynium douglasii) is native to CA, ID, NV, OR and 2 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Grass widows attract?: Grass widows draws small native bees.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Grass widows? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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