Herbs, perennial, cespitose, ashy to bronze olive when dry, to 2.5 dm, not glaucous. Stems branched, with 1-2 nodes, 1-2.8 mm wide, scabrous at least apically, margins entire to denticulate apically, similar in color and texture to stem body; first internode 5.3-12.5 cm, equaling or shorter than leaves; distalmost node with 2-3 branches. Leaf blades usually scabrous, bases not persistent in fibrous tufts. Inflorescences borne singly; spathes green, obviously wider than supporting branch, scabrous, keels denticulate or entire; outer 18.6-26.5 mm, 2.5-5.5 mm longer than inner, tapering evenly towards apex, margins basally connate 2.5-3.9 mm; inner with keel evenly curved or straight, hyaline margins 0.2-0.4 mm wide, apex acuminate to acute, ending 0-1.5 mm proximal to green apex. Flowers: tepals bluish violet to purplish blue, bases yellow; outer tepals 8.3-10.5 mm, apex rounded to truncate or emarginate, aristate; filaments connate ± entirely, slightly stipitate-glandular basally; ovary similar in color to foliage. Capsules tan to light brown, ± globose, 3-5 mm; pedicel ascending to spreading. Seeds globose to obconic, lacking obvious depression, rugulose. 2n = 32.

Flowering spring. Prairies, open woods; 20--200 m; Ala., Ark., Kans., Nebr., Okla., Tex.

Sisyrinchium pruinosum can be expected also in Louisiana, Missouri, and Mississippi.