Scientific Family
Linaceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Linum aristatum
Height
4 to 16 inches
Riparian
No
Annual herb, from a slender taproot; stems sparsely branched, usually only branching above middle; slightly rough towards base of plant and smooth above; 5 sepals, 5 petals, 5 stamens, 5 styles united (appearing to be 1 style), greenish stigma.
Stems sparingly branched, usually branched above middle; lower stems covered with short, rough hairs; sepals lance-like, awn-tipped; flowers yellow to orangish-yellow, 5-petaled; multiple <1/8 inch styles appear to be 1 with several small lobes at top.
Habitat
Found in open dry plains, foothills, hillsides, woodlands and sandy, cindery or loamy soils.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Grasslands
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
9000
Flower Characteristics
At branch tips, sometimes arranged in cymes (round-topped clusters); 5 sepals with thin, light brown margins, lined by tiny glandular teeth; 5 petals, yellow to yellow-orange, notched at tip; 5 stamens, 5 styles, topped with greenish, head-shaped stigma.
Flower color
Yellow to orangish-yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems stiffly ascending-spreading, few to many-branched, faintly ridged, especially towards the top; leaves alternate, narrow, stalkless, pressed against stem; glands present at base of stipules or throughout, margins smooth.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsules egg-shaped, 1/8 inch long, relatively thick-walled and with characteristic thickened areas at tip; separating at maturity into 5 2-seeded segments.
Fruit type
Capsule