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Native Plant Database

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Linum rigidum (Stiffstem flax)
Flaigg, Norman G.

Linum rigidum Pursh

Stiffstem flax, Large-flower yellow flax, Yellow flax

Linaceae (Flax Family)

USDA Symbol: LIRI

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Yellow flax is common on the prairies of the Southwest. It is usually 8–18 inches tall, depending on growing conditions. It has a single blossom, 1–1 1/2 inches across, on each of its few branches. Leaves are alternate, narrow, and 1/3 inch long. The 5 yellow petals have deep red centers from which grow the 5 stamens with yellow anthers. Each plant bears many flowers but usually only a few each day.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Orange , Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AR , CO , IA , IL , KS , MN , MO , MT , ND , NE , NM , OK , SD , TX , WI , WY
Canada: SK
Native Distribution: W. MN & Man. to Alt., s. to n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Upland prairies
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy or gravelly soils.
Conditions Comments: Plant displays 2 or 3 open blooms at a time, eventually producing up to a dozen flowers. Found on sandy and light soils in grassland habitat. Height variable from 6 to just over 12, spread from 4 to 10.

Benefit

Warning: Animals have been poisoned, sometimes fatally, by eating plants in the Linum genus. Humans should generally avoid ingesting plants that are toxic to animals.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: Minimal

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0391 Collected May 19, 1993 in Comal County by Mary Beth White

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Linum rigidum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Linum rigidum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Linum rigidum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-04-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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