Linum lewisii var. lewisii Pursh
Linaceae (Flax family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Bryan Kelly-McArthur     (Photo ID #88125)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Linum lewisii var. lewisii
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Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from a woody stem-base and a taproot; stems erect, usually several, simple, glabrous, 10-60 cm tall.
Leaves:
Stem leaves alternate, linear, 1-3 cm long, 1-3 mm wide, 3-nerved only at the bases.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of saucer-shaped flowers in a loose, terminal cluster on stalks 10-13 mm long; petals blue, 10-23 mm long, soon deciduous; sepals rounded at the tips, 4-7 mm long, the margins membranous, entire; styles heterostylic (of varying lengths).
Fruits:
Capsules, more or less round, 10-celled, 5-8 mm long; seeds 3.5-4.5 mm long, beakless.
Notes:
The closely related European herb, L. perenne presently occurs in a population at Knox Mtn., Kelowna. It differs mainly in having styles of uniform size.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Habitat and Range

Mesic to dry meadows and forest openings from the lowland and steppe to subalpine zones; frequent in SC and NE BC, less frequent in SW and SE BC; N to AK, YT and NT, E to PQ and S to NM, AZ, CA and MX.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia