Arizona Wild Flowers
Wildflower Pictures And Photos

Lewis Flax, Linum lewisii

Lewis Flax, Linum lewisii; November 1, 2005. Strawberry

Wild Blue Flax, Linum lewisii	Lewis Flax, Linum lewisii

Lewis Flax Linum lewisii, Flax Family ( Linaceae ), Lewis Flax. Also called: Wild Blue Flax or Prairie flax. A perennial subshrub, shrub, forb, tufted plant, with grass-like foliage. There are dozens of bright blue flowers, 1 to 2 inches in diameter, in drooping branches at the tip of each stem, they close in the evening. Individual flowers last only one day. The flowers, funnel-shaped when they open in the morning, flatten as the day progresses and are dropped the following day. They have tiny gray-green leaves. Some early Native Americans made thread from these 1 to 2 foot tall plants that grow from dry rocky valleys to subalpine areas. They generally flower from June through August producing several 5 petaled flowers with 5 styles that are longer than the five stamen. The blossoms usually close in the afternoon. This species is named "lewisii" in honor of Meriwether Lewis of Lewis & Clark, since it was discovered on their expedition across the plains in 1806. Height: A spreading green herb, up to about 24 inches high, a 12 inch spread, and a long taproot. Flowers: Pale silver blue to deep sky blue. About 1" across, with five separate petals that curve outward. Blooming Time: In Arizona they bloom April - November. Leaves: Short and narrow, spaced closely along the nonflowering stems, giving a whorled appearance. Wax green color. Found: Pinyon-juniper communities up to mountain meadows. Elevation: 3200 - 5000 Feet. Habitat: Slopes, mesas, and disturbed rocky soil. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken November 1, 2005. Strawberry.