Linum lewisii : Wild Blue Flax

Scientific Name:

Kingdom: Plantae

Division:

• Tracheophyta (vascular)
• Spermatophyta (seed bearing)
Angiospermae (enclosed seed)

Class: Dicoteldonae (two seed-leaves)

Family: Linaceae (Flax Family)

Genera: Linum (Flax)

Species: lewisii

Synonym(s): L.perenne ssp.lewisii

English Name(s):

Wild Blue Flax,

First Nation Names:

Description:

Herbaceous plants.

Flowers perfect (bisexual), showy.

Flower parts in 5's

Natural History:

In early summer species in this family bloom with the sunrise, droping thier petals by noon. Then doing it again with fresh flowers the next day.

Family Size:

World:

Genera: 12

Species: 290

North America:

Genera: 2

Species: 35-40

Yukon:

Genera: 1

Species: 1

Central Yukon:(CYSIP study area)

Genera: 1

Species: 1

Structure:

• From a subligneous (sub-woody) base.
• Stems several, 15-50 cm high, leafy.

Leaves:

• Alternate, 1-2 cm long, sessile (not stalked)
• linear to oblong in shape.

Reproductive Parts:

• Stamens (male parts) 5.
• Styles (female parts) 5.
• Flowers in small corymbs or scattered on upper branches.
• Petals 5, 1-2cm long, blue, showy, but falling quickly.
• Sepals 5, 3-7 mm long, edges entire (smooth).

Seed:

• Capsules nearly spherical, 5-7 mm in diameter, with 2 large seeds per locule (chamber).
• Fruit is a 5 loculed (chambered) capsule.

Not to Be Confused With:

Physiology:

Life Cycle:

• perennial

Seasonal Cycle:

• Stems and leaves deciduous (dieing back).

Animal Uses:

Habitat:

• Meadows, gravelly stream banks, and sandy areas.

Modern:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Gwich'in:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Other:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food: