prairie flax

Prairie flax is an uncommon, non-native, prairie wildflower. It is native to western North America from Alaska to Mexico east to southwest Manitoba, North Dakota, and Texas. It is uncommon in Minnesota where it is considered adventive—it is not fully established and the populations in the state may not be self-sustaining. The first recorded observation in Minnesota was in 1959. It continues to spread as it is often included in seed mixes used on prairie restorations.

Prairie flax is a 6″ to 31½″ (15 to 80 cm) tall, erect, perennial forb that rises usually on several stems from a branched woody base (caudex) and a deep taproot. It is found on prairies, meadows, roadsides, railroads, and disturbed sites. It grows under full sun in well-drained soil. It is intolerant of shade. It is semi-evergreen, with at least some foliage remaining green throughout the winter.

The stems are usually erect or curve up from the base (ascending). In poor conditions they may recline on the ground. They are hairless, round in cross section, very leafy, and branched both near the base and in the inflorescence.

The leaves are long, narrow, stalkless, alternate, and closely spaced, sometimes appearing whorled. The leaf blades are 3 ⁄16″ to 13 ⁄16″ (5 to 30 mm) long and 1 ⁄64″ to 3 ⁄16″ (0.5 to 4.5 mm) wide. They may be widest below the middle (lance-shaped), straight-sided and widest at the middle (linear), or widest above the middle (obovate). The base of the leaf does not continue down the stem. The upper and lower surfaces have neither hairs nor stalked glands. The margins are untoothed.

Flowers are not produced until the third year or, if conditions are favorable, the end of the second year. The flowering period occurs from May to July and lasts about 33 days. The inflorescence is an open, one-sided, branched cluster (panicle) or unbranched cluster (raceme) of about 10 flowers at the end of the stem and branches. Each flower is on a 3 ⁄16″ to ¾″ (5 to 20 mm) long stalk (pedicel). The raceme or panicle branches and the pedicels droop when in bud, becoming more erect when in flower.

The flowers are ¾″ to 1″ wide. There are 5 outer floral leaves (sepals), 5 petals, 5 stamens, and 5 styles. The sepals are green and ⅛″ to ¼″ (3.5 to 6 mm) long. The margins are dry, membranous, and untoothed. The petals are wedge-shaped to inversely egg-shaped and ½″ to ⅞″ long. They are usually bright blue, rarely white, with thin dark veins. The veins become darker and wider approaching the base. The base of the petals are white but sometimes appear yellow when covered with pollen. The petals open at sunrise and fall off by late afternoon. The stamens are ⅛″ to ⅜″ (3 to 10 mm) long and have white anthers. The styles are ¼″ to ½″ (6 to 12 mm) long and are free, not fused together. At the tip of the style the stigma is unlobed, globe-shaped, and abruptly expanded.

The fruit is a globe-shaped to egg-shaped, ⅛″ to 5 ⁄16″ (4 to 8 mm) long, 3 ⁄16″ to ¼″ (5 to 6 mm) wide capsule. At maturity the capsule splits from the top down into 10 segments, each segment containing a single seed. The seeds are viscous or gelatinous when wet.

6″ to 31½″ (15 to 80 cm)

Blue

Dry. Prairies, meadows, roadsides, railroads, and disturbed sites. Full sun. Well-drained soil.

May to July

Sources

2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 24, 28, 29, 30.

Most sources show this species and subspecies as native to Minnesota. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN Taxonomy) shows both are native to western North America, adventive in Minnesota.

According to Flora of North America, “Some populations in Minnesota appear to be hybrids between var. lewisii and Linum perenne.”

Uncommon but increasing in Minnesota

A trail was put in along one side of my property. So many wildflowers gone, but was pleased to find this single flower blooming.

Plant

Inflorescence

Inflorescence

Flower

Luciearl
6/21/2024

Location: Fairview Twp.

A trail was put in along one side of my property. So many wildflowers gone, but was pleased to find this single flower blooming.