Hesperolinon micranthum
Common dwarf flax
(c) Arvel Hernandez, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Linaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hesperolinon micranthum (Common dwarf flax) is a native California herb in the Linaceae family, recognized by very broad range, distinguished by consistently small flower parts.
Common dwarf flax is a California native annual found in the California Floristic Province and North Coast Ranges in open areas and woodland margins at elevations of 50 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from March to August, this plant produces delicate white to pink flowers with subtle rose streaks, tiny petals measuring less than 4 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 5 to 20 centimeters tall, it has an elegantly compact form with ascending to slightly pendulous flower stems. Its leaves are linear and alternate, creating a fine, sparse texture along the plant's slender branches. The flower's stamens range from 2 to 3 millimeters long, with anthers varying from white to deep purple.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; very broad range, distinguished by consistently small flower parts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open areas, woodland margins, occasionally on serpentine
Elevation: 50-2000 m
California counties: Mendocino, El Dorado, Santa Barbara, Butte, Sonoma, Siskiyou, San Diego, Riverside, San Mateo, Shasta, Marin, Lassen, Kern, Modoc, Amador, Monterey, Plumas, San Benito, Tuolumne, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Lake, Nevada, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Trinity, Fresno, Los Angeles, Stanislaus, Alameda, Napa, Orange, Tulare, Mariposa, Placer, San Bernardino, Sierra, Kings, Yuba, Tehama, Alpine, Solano, Glenn, Yolo, Santa Clara, Colusa
Outside California: Oregon, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Hesperolinon micranthum blooms Mar-Aug.
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 micranthum native to California?
Yes. Hesperolinon micranthum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hesperolinon micranthum bloom?
Hesperolinon micranthum blooms Mar-Aug.
Where in California does Hesperolinon micranthum grow?
Hesperolinon micranthum occurs in Mendocino, El Dorado, Santa Barbara, Butte, Sonoma, Siskiyou, San Diego, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of 50-2000 m.
What plant family does Hesperolinon micranthum belong to?
Hesperolinon micranthum is in the Linaceae family, genus Hesperolinon.
What habitat does Hesperolinon micranthum grow in?
Hesperolinon micranthum grows in Open areas, woodland margins, occasionally on serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.