Blue flax belongs to the Flax family, Lineaceae.

• Blue flax is an herb or shrub with alternate, simple leaves.
• The inflorescence (flowering part of the plant) is a perfect flower of five sepals and petals either in a cyme (a flat top or round topped determinate inflorescence) or raceme (unbranched and elongated inflorescence).
• The stamens (male reproductive organ of plant) are the same number of petals and are usually alternate from them.
• Linum originated from the Near East region of the world. The word linen comes from Linum, flax, cultivated as a source of fiber which was obtained from the process of retting.
• It’s also a source of linseed oil, commonly used to treat wood fences and waterproof.

Photo Credits: Aaron Rinker, USFWS

The blue flax inflorescence (flowering head) during the Victorian era was used to signify a specific sentiment and/or expression of Domestic industry. The seeds are used in cooking by Western Indians and are used medicinally for infections and other ailments.

For a complete Refuge species list

For in-depth plant information
connect with the U.S. Dept Agriculture Plant Data Base

Last Updated: 9/5/08

Blooming Times On The Refuge

April-June: Sand lily

May-June: Ball cactus, Prickly pear

May-July: Scarlet butterfly weed, Prairie evening primrose, Blanket flower, Low daisy

May-August: Blue flax, Wine cup

June-August: Rocky Mountain beeplant, Wavy leaved thistle, Blazing star

June-September: Prairie coneflower, Hairy golden aster, Evening star, Sunflower, Scarlet globemallow

July-September: Black eyed susan, Purple prairie aster

NORTHERN PRAIRIE WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTER