Linum grandiflorum
Flowering flax
(c) Nico Hernandez, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Linaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Linum grandiflorum (Flowering flax) is a non-native California herb in the Linaceae family, recognized by distinctive large red flowers make identification straightforward.
Flowering flax is a naturalized annual found in coastal and southern California regions including Northern Coast, Coast Range, Central Western, Southern Coast, Western Transverse Ranges, San Bernardino Mountains, and Peninsular Ranges in grasslands and disturbed areas at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces bright red to maroon flowers 15 to 30 millimeters long with conspicuously ciliate sepals. Growing 10 to 60 centimeters tall with glabrous stems, it has distinctive lanceolate leaves 10 to 20 millimeters long that appear slightly glaucous. Its leaves are characterized by their slender shape and bluish-green coloration, typically growing without stipule glands. The fruit consists of dehiscent segments with brown seeds approximately 2 to 3 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinctive large red flowers make identification straightforward
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, disturbed places
Elevation: < 1000 m
Outside California: native to northern Africa
Bloom period
Linum grandiflorum blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Nemophila: Linum has 5 separate styles; Nemophila has 1-2 styles.; vs Leptosiphon: Linum has 5 styles and no petal tube; Leptosiphon has 3 styles and fused petals forming a tube.; vs Pelargonium: Linum has 5 equal styles and radial flowers; Pelargonium has fused styles and bilateral flowers.; vs Papaver: Linum has 5 distinct styles; Papaver has a disc-like stigma with no separate styles.; vs Gilia: Linum has 5 separate styles; Gilia has 3 styles and tubular fused petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Linum grandiflorum native to California?
No. Linum grandiflorum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Linum grandiflorum bloom?
Linum grandiflorum blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Linum grandiflorum belong to?
Linum grandiflorum is in the Linaceae family, genus Linum.
What habitat does Linum grandiflorum grow in?
Linum grandiflorum grows in Grassland, disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.