Lewis Flax
Linum lewisii
Also known as: prairie flax
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Skoch3
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Linaceae
- Genus:
- Linum
- Species:
- Linum lewisii
- USDA Symbol:
- LILE3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from perennial rootstock following fire; increases in abundance in post-fire communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in open, sunny areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Light improves germination. Cold stratification increases germination rates but is not always required.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds were plated on 1.5% agar in petri dishes and incubated in growth chambers at various temperature treatments. However, another protocol suggests no treatment is necessary.
Establishment: Seeds germinated to 100% in most temperature treatments, with the exception of late-spring conditions (68°F/50°F) where germination was 60%. Another protocol reported 72% germination without any pre-treatment. Seeds were collected when the capsules were dry and the seed was in the hard dough stage.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Resents transplanting.