Scientific Name:
Linum
spp.
Pronunciation:
LYE-num
Common Name:
blue flax
Family Name:
Linaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (true), Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Stems wiry (only 1-2mm thick), upright, green, to 50cm tall, unbranched except at upper third; leaves simple, spirally arranged, linear, entire margins, up to 3cm long; flowers about 1.5cm wide with 5 blue petals at tips of branches in June-July.
Habit:
Stiffly upright
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
< 0.1m
Origin:
Central / west Asia, Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Rocky or gravelly or dry
Landscape Uses:
Medicinal plant, Perennial border, Rock garden
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate, Spiraled
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Rounded
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Flowers solitary
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Blue, Violet
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep, Oct
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant)
Course(s):
- not used (on campus)
Location(s):
- (WDH) Wark-Dumais House : L. usitatissimum ?