Hesperolinon didymocarpum
Lake county western flax, Lake County Western Flax
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Family: Linaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Hesperolinon didymocarpum (Lake county western flax) is a native California herb in the Linaceae family, recognized by unique combination of white/pink petals and 2-carpellate ovary.
Lake county western flax is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the northern Coast Ranges Interior (Big Canyon Creek, Lake County) in serpentine chaparral and grassland at elevations of 100 to 200 meters. Flowering from May to June, this delicate plant produces white to light pink flowers with white anthers, small and subtle. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with a glabrous stem that becomes slightly hairy just above the leaf nodes, it has an open, branching structure. Its leaves are thin and thread-like, alternately arranged along the stem, measuring 10 to 25 millimeters long and remaining flat without clasping the stem. The flower's distinctive features include tiny white or light pink petals measuring 2.5 to 4 millimeters long and white styles that emerge in a paired configuration.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; unique combination of white/pink petals and 2-carpellate ovary
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine, chaparral, grassland
Elevation: 100-200 m
Bloom period
Hesperolinon didymocarpum blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Linum: Hesperolinon has 2-3 styles and whorled basal leaves; Linum has 5 styles and alternate leaves.; vs Gayophytum: Hesperolinon has whorled leaves and 2-3 styles; Gayophytum has alternate leaves and 4-parted flowers.; vs Eremogone: Hesperolinon has 2-3 styles; Eremogone has 3 styles and opposite leaves throughout.; vs Nemacladus: Hesperolinon has regular radial flowers; Nemacladus has strongly bilateral flowers.; vs Sclerolinon: Hesperolinon has 3 styles and stipule glands present; Sclerolinon has 2 club-shaped styles and no glands.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hesperolinon didymocarpum native to California?
Yes. Hesperolinon didymocarpum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hesperolinon didymocarpum bloom?
Hesperolinon didymocarpum blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Hesperolinon didymocarpum belong to?
Hesperolinon didymocarpum is in the Linaceae family, genus Hesperolinon.
Is Hesperolinon didymocarpum rare or endangered?
Hesperolinon didymocarpum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Hesperolinon didymocarpum grow in?
Hesperolinon didymocarpum grows in Serpentine, chaparral, grassland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.