Linum perenne (Blue flax)
Short-lived drought tolerant semi-evergreen perennial with deep blue flowers that are replaced daily from April to August. Widely adapted and naturalized throughout much of the U.S. on well-drained, infertile and disturbed soils. Intolerant of poor drainage, flooded soils or high water tables. Good seedling vigor. Use for reclamation, highways and beautification in xeriscaping and around cabins. Also use in green strips and fuel breaks; semi-evergreen and fire resistant. Eaten by livestock and wild ungulates. Birds eat the seeds in fall and winter. Varieties listed below.
DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION
INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES
Family: Linaceae
Duration: Perennial
Growth Habit: Forb/herb
Native Status: Introduced
Growth Form: Bunch
Mature Height: 24 in.
Bloom Color: Deep blue
Bloom Period: Indeterminate
Annual Precipitation: 10-20 in.
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Shade Tolerance: Intolerant
Elevation:
Fire Resistance: No
Fire Tolerance: Low
Nitrogen fixation:
SOIL ADAPTATION
Coarse Texture: Yes
Medium Texture: Yes
Fine Texture: No
Salinity Tolerance: Low
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
pH Range: 5.6-8.4
SEEDING NOTES
Seeds per Pound: 294,800
Seeding Rate: 5 PLS lbs/acre
Season: Spring/Fall
Days to Germination:
VARIETIES
Appar - Outstanding vigor, beauty and overall competitiveness with grasses. Widely used for reclamation, highway roadsides and beautification. Originally released as native Lewis flax (L. lewisii), but later discovered to be an introduced, yet naturalized species. (Released 1980)