Scientific Family
Linaceae
Synonyms
Cathartolinum neomexicanum
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Biennial or perennial
Similar species
Menodora scabra
Height
1 to 2 feet
Riparian
No
Smooth herb or shrub with slender, leafy stems, erect and branching, 1 to 2 feet tall, branches ascending at a narrow angle. Leaves and flowers borne somewhat appressed (lying close to the stem). Flowers are often as large as or larger than the leaves.
Leaves and flowers slightly pressed to the stem; flowers yellow, star-shaped, on spike-like stalk, petals and sepals 5, often as large or larger than the leaves; sepals mostly smooth-margined; styles distinct to the base; capsules rounded.
Habitat
Pine and oak woodlands and forests.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
4500
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are yellow, regular, perfect, borne in long, slender, elongated clusters; 5 deciduous petals, 1/4 inch long; 5 stamens; 2 to 5 styles, which are distinct to the base; 5 sepals, 1/8 inch long, smooth or with few teeth and marginal glands.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems branched from near base; leaves narrow, to 1/2 inch long, simple, on a stalk and mostly alternate.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsule rounded to triangular with a blunt or rounded tip; bursting into 10, 1-seeded segments late in season, segments persistent on plant.
Fruit type
Capsule