Linum virginianum Linnaeus. Common name: Virginia Yellow Flax. Phenology: Jun-Oct. Habitat: Dry or moist places. Distribution: MA, NY, ON, MI, and IL south to SC, GA, AL, and MO.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, FNA12, G, GW2, Il, K4, Mi, Mo3, NE, NY, Pa, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WV, Rogers (1963), Rogers (1984); = Cathartolinum virginianum (L.) Rchb. — S, S13; = Linum virginianum L. var. virginianum — RAB. Basionym: Linum virginianum L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Linum virginianum - FNA12
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
- Great Plains: FAC
- Midwest: FAC
- Northcentral & Northeast: FAC
Heliophily ⓘ: 7
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect or ascending perennial of dry forests, woodlands, clearings and road banks.
Stems: Stems 1-several from a crown, ribbed to slightly angled above, branched above in inflorescence.
Leaves: Leaves mostly alternate above and opposite below, sessile, erect and pressed close to stem, oblong-lance-shaped to narrowly elliptic, with a single prominent nerve leading to a tiny spine at the tip.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers on short stalks, scattered along and at ends of the ascending-spreading, thin branches; pale yellow; 1/4-3/8 in. wide; consisting of 5 oval petals with irregular margins and 5 smaller sepals.
Fruits: Fruit a small, rounded capsule.
Comments:
Height: 8-30 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect or ascending perennial of dry forests, woodlands, clearings and road banks.
stems: Stems 1-several from a crown, ribbed to slightly angled above, branched above in inflorescence.
leaves: Leaves mostly alternate above and opposite below, sessile, erect and pressed close to stem, oblong-lance-shaped to narrowly elliptic, with a single prominent nerve leading to a tiny spine at the tip.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers on short stalks, scattered along and at ends of the ascending-spreading, thin branches; pale yellow; 1/4-3/8 in. wide; consisting of 5 oval petals with irregular margins and 5 smaller sepals.
fruits: Fruit a small, rounded capsule.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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