Sclerolinon digynum
Digynum flax
Family: Linaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Sclerolinon digynum (Digynum flax) is a native California herb in the Linaceae family, recognized by Sclerolinon represents a distinct evolutionary lineage within the flax family, separated from true Linum by its two-styled flowers and….
Digynum flax is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada in vernally moist meadows at elevations of 1,000 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with delicate petals in small clusters. Growing with erect, smooth stems 10 to 20 centimeters tall, it has a slender and upright form. Its opposite leaves range from 5 to 16 millimeters long, with lower leaves entire and upper leaves often lightly serrated, forming a delicate green backdrop for the yellow blooms. The fruit develops as a unique capsule with a rough surface that eventually breaks into four closed seed segments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Sclerolinon represents a distinct evolutionary lineage within the flax family, separated from true Linum by its two-styled flowers and specialized fruit structure
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally vernally moist meadows
Elevation: 1000-1800 m
California counties: Tuolumne, Modoc, Lassen, Butte, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Madera, Mariposa, Siskiyou
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho
Bloom period
Sclerolinon digynum blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Linum: Sclerolinon has 2 club-shaped styles; Linum has 5 slender styles.; vs Hesperolinon: Sclerolinon has opposite leaves and no leaf-base glands; Hesperolinon has whorled basal leaves with glands.; vs Frankenia: Sclerolinon has 2 styles and yellow petals; Frankenia has 3 styles and pink petals.; vs Swertia: Sclerolinon has yellow flowers in cymes; Swertia has spotted flowers in whorls.; vs Lysimachia: Sclerolinon has 2 styles and opposite leaves; Lysimachia has 1 style.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sclerolinon digynum native to California?
Yes. Sclerolinon digynum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sclerolinon digynum bloom?
Sclerolinon digynum blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Sclerolinon digynum grow?
Sclerolinon digynum occurs in Tuolumne, Modoc, Lassen, Butte, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Madera and other counties, at elevations of 1000-1800 m.
What plant family does Sclerolinon digynum belong to?
Sclerolinon digynum is in the Linaceae family, genus Sclerolinon.
What habitat does Sclerolinon digynum grow in?
Sclerolinon digynum grows in Generally vernally moist meadows.
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.