Flax has been used by people all over the world since primitive times
because of the strength of its fibers. The fibers are used for string and
cords, and for weaving cloth. The fabric that is woven from flax is linen.
The genus name, Linum is taken from this word. Domestic flax,
which is grown commercially, has a white blossom, but otherwise is similar
to the plant shown in the photo on the left. The blue species shown here is
named after Captain Meriwether Lewis, of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
It grows about two feet tall, on exposed hillsides, and can be found from
the foothills to the tops of the canyons in the Wasatch Mountains.
King Flax Linum kingii
The yellow King Flax grows only at high elevations. It is a shorter plant
than the blue Lewis Flax, and has smaller flowers. Both species have very
delicate and fragile flower blossoms. The petals fall off with the slightest
disturbance.
Albion Basin
Wasatch Mountains
Salt Lake County, Utah
Flax
