Linum puberulum
Plains flax, Plains Flax
(c) Sue Carnahan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sue Carnahan · licence
Family: Linaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Linum puberulum (Plains flax) is a native California herb in the Linaceae family, recognized by yellow flowers and pubescent stems.
Plains flax is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native annual found in the desert mountains in rocky, sandy areas at elevations of 1,000 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow to orange flowers with a distinctive red band at the base, each petal 10 to 15 millimeters long. Growing with delicate stems 5 to 25 centimeters tall that are lightly hairy (puberulent), it spreads in slender, linear growth. Its leaves are mostly alternate, measuring 5 to 20 millimeters long, narrow and entire, with small glandular stipules throughout the plant. The fruit is less than 5 millimeters wide, splitting into five distinct seed-bearing segments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; yellow flowers and pubescent stems are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky, sandy areas
Elevation: 1000-2000 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: to Wyoming, Nebraska, Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Linum puberulum blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 puberulum native to California?
Yes. Linum puberulum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Linum puberulum bloom?
Linum puberulum blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Linum puberulum grow?
Linum puberulum occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1000-2000 m.
What plant family does Linum puberulum belong to?
Linum puberulum is in the Linaceae family, genus Linum.
Is Linum puberulum rare or endangered?
Linum puberulum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.