Linum marginale

Family Linaceae

Native Flax

Erect perennial herb to 60 cm high.

Flowers: Blue, spring.

Fruit: Pale brown papery capsule 4-6 mm diameter made up of 10 separate segments, each containing one seed.

Seed: Oval shaped, flattened glossy brown about 3 mm long. Matures October- November. Dispersed locally. Seed produces mucilaginous gel when wet that is very sticky and will adhere to soil. Some dormancy and probably soil stored seedbank.

Gallery images: seed, seedling, rootstock, resprout

Ecology

• Open woodland and grassland, full sun to light shade.
• Rare in woodland at the Australian Botanic Garden, more common in grassland.
• Possibly resprouts at ground level after fire.