Hesperolinon spergulinum
Slender dwarf flax
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Linaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hesperolinon spergulinum (Slender dwarf flax) is a native California herb in the Linaceae family, recognized by unique pendant pedicels and spreading inflorescence.
Slender dwarf flax is a California native annual found in central Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area, and woodland margins including serpentine habitats at elevations of 100 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this delicate plant produces white or pale pink flowers with darker veining, 4 to 7 millimeters long and featuring pink to red-purple anthers with white margins. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with an approximately glabrous form, it develops slender stems with widely spreading, raceme-like inflorescences. Its leaves are alternate and linear, arranged along the slender stems. Flower pedicels range 6 to 25 millimeters long and are generally pendant or reflexed, with glabrous sepals 1.5 to 3.5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; unique pendant pedicels and spreading inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral or woodland margins, including serpentine
Elevation: 100-1000 m
Bloom period
Hesperolinon spergulinum blooms May-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 spergulinum native to California?
Yes. Hesperolinon spergulinum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hesperolinon spergulinum bloom?
Hesperolinon spergulinum blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Hesperolinon spergulinum belong to?
Hesperolinon spergulinum is in the Linaceae family, genus Hesperolinon.
What habitat does Hesperolinon spergulinum grow in?
Hesperolinon spergulinum grows in Chaparral or woodland margins, including serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Hesperolinon tehamense — Tehama county western flax
- Hesperolinon adenophyllum — Glandular western flax
- Hesperolinon bicarpellatum — Two-carpellate western flax
- Hesperolinon breweri — Brewer's western flax
- Hesperolinon californicum — California dwarf flax
- Hesperolinon clevelandii — Allen springs dwarf flax
- Linaceae sp. — Flax family
- Linum bienne — Narrow leaved flax
- Linum grandiflorum — Flowering flax
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.