Flaxes
What are they?
The flaxes are a small group of plants that are perhaps best known as being a source for making linen and linseed oil - indeed, the words 'linen' and 'linseed' have their routes in the scientific name, 'Linum'. These are relatively small, annuals to perennials, typically with slender, upright stems that bear narrow leaves and carry the five-petalled flowers at the tips of the stems.
Where are they found?
This is a diverse group, consisting of annuals grown as a crop or as garden ornamentals, or perennials of grassy places, so the location and habitat can sometimes help with identification to species.
Identification
There is a close similarity in the overall appearance of the plants, bit identification can begin with the colour of the flowers and whether the leaves are opposite or alternate on the stems. The blue-flowered group is particularly tricky and sometimes requires close attention to flower parts; however, in reality, almost all plants found in our region are likely to be Common Flax unless one is in a particularly species-rich area of good-quality grassland (or someone has been trying out some new garden plant and the results have spread over the fence!).
Common Flax Linum usitatissimum
Introduced from the Mediterranean region. Formerly widely grown, especially in East Anglia and Lincolnshire, as a crop but rather rarely seen these days except as an addition to conservation headland mixes and occasionally in domestic birdseed. Flowers May to September, with flowering time of crop plants partly dependent on sowing time. An annual, growing to 30-90cm in height with leaves alternate on the usually single stem that branches towards the top. Flowers bright blue, or sometimes white in commercially grown varieties. Stigmas rather elongate without an obvious 'head' at the top, about as long as the anthers. Sepals abruptly drawn to a short, tapered tip and about as long as the ripe seed capsule. Sepals and seed capsules 6-9mm long.
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Pale Flax Linum bienne
A plant of uncertain origins, being perhaps both a rare native in a few grassy places near the coast and an occasional escape from cultivation. Flowers May to September. Usually a short-lived perennial but may occasionally be annual or biennial. Grows to 15-60cm in height with leaves alternate on a cluster of stems arising from a single rootstock. Flowers bright blue, often somewhat paler than those of other species. Stigmas rather elongate without an obvious 'head' at the top, about as long as the anthers. Sepals abruptly drawn to a short, tapered tip and about as long as the ripe seed capsule. Sepals and seed capsules 4-6mm long.
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Perennial Flax Linum perenne
A rare native of chalk grassland, confined to a small area around Cambridge/Newmarket (with two other populations in Co. Durham and Kirkcudbrightshire). Also occasionally found elsewhere as an escape from cultivation, but these plants are not of the native subspecies, which is endemic to the UK. Flowers June to July. A perennial with a cluster of stems arising from a single rootstock. Flowers rich blue, often with a slightly violet cast. Stigmas capitate (with an obvious 'head' at the top), either longer or shorter than the anthers. Sepals relatively broad with rounded tops bearing a short, spiked tip and only about half the length of the ripe seed capsule. Sepals 3.5-6.5mm long.
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Fairy Flax Linum catharticum
(Purging Flax) Native. Widespread and quite common in chalky or neutral, sandy soils, in grassland and lightly disturbed sites. Flowers June to September. An annual which differs from other flaxes in its tiny white flowers (with petals 4-6mm long) and opposite leaves. Very easily overlooked amongst other vegetation due to its small size.
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Crimson Flax Linum grandiflorum
Introduced as a garden ornamental and occasionally found as a garden escape or where self-seeded from spilt birdseed. Flowers July to September. An annual with the typical appearance of other flaxes, but with rich red flowers.
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Allseed Linum radiola
(Radiola linoides) Native. Rare and declining, having been lost from Suffolk and now very rare in Norfolk and North-east Essex. Found in a variety of habitats that provide damp, open patches of ground. Flowers July to August. A small plant to 10cm in height, usually strongly branched. Flowers tiny with white petals around 1mm in length, followed by rounded fruits.
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