Plant Data

Names and Taxonomy

  • Common Names: Lewis Flax, Wild Blue Flax, Prairie Flax, Lewis’s Flax
  • Synonyms: Linum lewisii
  • Family: Linaceae (Flax)
  • Genus Information:

Habit and Size

  • Duration: perennial
  • Habit: forb
  • Shape: upright
  • Size: 18-30 inches tall
  • Stem: smooth, green

Leaves

  • Color: blue-green
  • Shape: lanceolate
  • Edge: smooth
  • Arrangement:
  • Leaf Retention:

Flowers and Fruit

  • Sex: monoecious
  • Flower Color: white, blue, purple
  • Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
  • Number of Petals: 5
  • Bloom: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
  • Fruit: capsule

Habitat and Growing Conditions

  • Water Use: moderate
  • Light: full sun
  • Soil: gravel, sand
  • Habitat: ridges and dry slopes

Distribution

  • Distribution: Roughly the western 3/4 of North America
  • Seen: NV (Mountain Springs Summit)
  • Elevation: from sea level in the north up to 11,000 feet (3,400 m)

Photographs

Lewis Flax (Linum lewisii)

Mountain Springs Summit, Spring Mountains

Lewis Flax (Linum lewisii)

Mountain Springs Summit, Spring Mountains