Also called Prairie flax. Short-lived, drought tolerant native perennial with light blue flowers that are replaced daily from April to August. Widely adapted, occurring on well-drained, infertile and disturbed soils of mixed grass prairies, shrublands, woodlands and forest openings; up to 12,000 ft. elevation. Cold hardy. Intolerant of poor drainage, flooded soils or high water tables. Use for habitat restoration, reclamation, roadsides and beautification. Also use in green strips and fuel breaks; semievergreen and fire resistant. Eaten by livestock and wild ungulates, especially deer and antelope. Birds eat the seeds in fall and winter. Varieties listed below.

DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION

INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES

Family: Linaceae

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Forb/herb

Native Status: Native

Growth Form: Bunch

Mature Height: 30 in.

Bloom Color: Light blue

Bloom Period: Indeterminate

Annual Precipitation: 10-20 in.

Drought Tolerance: Medium

Shade Tolerance: Intolerant

Elevation:

Wetland Indicator Status: 

Fire Resistance: No

Fire Tolerance: Low

Nitrogen fixation:

SOIL ADAPTATION

Coarse Texture: Yes

Medium Texture: Yes

Fine Texture: No

Salinity Tolerance: No

CaCO3 Tolerance: Low

pH Range: 5.6-8.4

SEEDING NOTES

Seeds per Pound: 294,800

Seeding Rate: 1.5-2.5 PLS lbs/acre

Season: Spring/Fall

Days to Germination: