Hesperolinon tehamense
Tehama county western flax, Tehama County Western Flax
Family: Linaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Hesperolinon tehamense (Tehama county western flax) is a native California herb in the Linaceae family, recognized by hairy habit and notched yellow petals.
Tehama county western flax is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native annual found in northern and central Coast Ranges of California, including Tehama and Glenn counties, in serpentine chaparral at elevations of 100 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces light or bright yellow flowers with reddish veins, 3.5 to 5.5 millimeters long with notched petals that are partially recurved. Growing 2 to 50 centimeters tall with a distinctly hairy appearance, it develops slender, alternate, nearly linear leaves. Its leaves are sparse and elongated, contributing to the plant's delicate and wispy structure. The flower's yellow stamens and styles create a subtle, intricate botanical display against the plant's fine, hair-covered stems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by hairy habit and notched yellow petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine, chaparral
Elevation: 100-1000 m
California counties: Glenn, Tehama
Bloom period
Hesperolinon tehamense blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 tehamense native to California?
Yes. Hesperolinon tehamense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hesperolinon tehamense bloom?
Hesperolinon tehamense blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Hesperolinon tehamense grow?
Hesperolinon tehamense occurs in Glenn, Tehama, at elevations of 100-1000 m.
What plant family does Hesperolinon tehamense belong to?
Hesperolinon tehamense is in the Linaceae family, genus Hesperolinon.
Is Hesperolinon tehamense rare or endangered?
Hesperolinon tehamense carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Hesperolinon congestum — Marin western flax
- Linaceae sp. — Flax family
- Linum bienne — Narrow leaved flax
- Linum grandiflorum — Flowering flax
- Linum lewisii var. lewisii — Lewis' flax
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.