Narrow-leaved Flax - Linum tenuifolium




Scientific Name: Linum tenuifolium (Linaceae).

English Name: Narrow-leaved Flax (Flax family).


French Name: Lin à feuilles étroites (='narrow leaved flax').


5 Key Characters:
  • flowers very pale pink or lilac.
  • flowers lax ie slightly drooping.
  • found on dry sunny calcareous slopes.
  • the rounded petals come to a distinct little point. 
  • numerous long narrow leaves.
Lookalikes: Meadow Saxifrage Saxifraga granulata, which grows in similar locations but has sticky hairs and kidney or fan-shaped leaves (see also comment below).

Habitat: Dry hills, grassland, rocky areas.


Flowering Period: May-June-July.


Status: Quite common and widespread.


Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:

2 comments:

  1. "Quite common and widespread.
    "...
    but very often overlooked...
    as its flower resembles that of the Common Saxifrage.

    But it is lower, more delicate....
    and has different leaves!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tim: I have updated the entry to reflect your comments, thanks.

    ReplyDelete