The colors below indicate the kind of documentation available for this species
in the California counties where it occurs.
Flax Linum lewisii var. lewisii (Linaceae)
The flower parts of flax are arranged in multiples of five: five sepals, five petals, five stamens, five spherical stigmas, and ten seeds. The striking blue flowers sit on delicate wiry stems with alternately arranged linear leaves. The related European species, Linum usitatissimum is cultivated commercially for the production of flax and linseed oil.
DISTRIBUTION: Open slopes and forest margins throughout the Calif. Floristic Province; 400-2000 m.