• A delicate, five-petaled yellow bloom with a bright green center and faint reddish-brown veins leading inward. The flower’s stamens, topped with tiny yellow anthers, contrast against the smooth petals.
  • Three pale yellow blooms with slightly ruffled petals, stretching from wiry green stems. The flowers sway among dried grass and scattered greenery on the prairie floor.
  • A handful of dainty yellow flax flowers on spindly green stems, interspersed with small grass seed heads. The blooms stand out against a backdrop of dry prairie vegetation.
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Wild About Flowers

Linum rigidum - Yellow Flax

Linum rigidum - Yellow Flax

$5.00 CAD
$5.00 CAD
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Yellow Flax is a small but vibrant, drought-tolerant biennial or short-lived perennial with delicate, cup-shaped yellow flowers that bloom on slender, wiry stems. Its fine, grass-like foliage gives it a light and airy appearance, making it a lovely addition to prairie plantings, dry meadows, and pollinator gardens. The nectar-rich blooms provide a steady food source for native bees and butterflies, while sparrows and finches feed on the mature flax seeds in late summer and fall.

Thriving in hot, dry environments, Yellow Flax is well suited for rocky gardens, naturalized landscapes, restoration projects, and xeriscaping. As a short-lived perennial, it self-seeds readily, ensuring its continued presence in suitable conditions. While not highly palatable, its fine texture and modest size generally discourage browsing, and any deer damage tends to be minor.

How Easy Is This Plant to Grow?

Germination Difficulty: Intermediate
Growing Difficulty: Intermediate
Speed of Growth: Moderate
Age to First Bloom: 1-2

Plant Sizes & Blooming Window

Important Information - The "Plant Sizes" are provided as a general guideline for plant selection. The "Blooming Window" indicates the general period when the species is in bloom, not how long an individual plant will flower.

Plant growth and bloom times will vary depending on geographical location & individual site conditions. Please scroll down to see the specific information for this plant.

Edible & Medicinal Info Disclaimer

The Edible & Medicinal information on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be acted on without thorough research and professional guidance. We are not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the use of or misidentification of plants.

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Plant Specifics

Seeds Per Pack

Seeds Per Package: 10

Light Conditions

  • Sun

Soil Conditions

  • Well Drained
  • Loam
  • Sandy
  • Gravelly
  • Dry

Height

  • Under 6"

Width

  • Under 6"

Bloom Colour

  • Yellow

Month of Bloom

  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August

Vigorousness

  • Moderate
  • Fast

Deer Resistance

  • Moderate

Features

  • Birds
  • Butterflies
  • Bees
  • Urban Spaces
  • Rural Spaces
  • Medicinal Properties
  • Edible Parts

Chinook Exposure

  • Fully Exposed

Distribution Info

Linum rigidum is native to AB, SK, and MB in Canada and is found across the Great Plains and central US.  It thrives in dry prairies, open woodlands, rocky slopes and grasslands, and disturbed sites.

Traditional Edible & Medicinal Info

Linum rigidum seeds are edible but should be consumed in small amounts due to natural cyanogenic compounds. Traditionally, they were ground into flour or used as an oil source. Medicinally, crushed seeds were applied as poultices for cuts, burns, and skin irritations, made into infusions that were used to soothe stomach discomfort. The plant is not considered toxic in small amounts, but large quantities of raw seeds may be harmful.