Linum bienne
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Linum bienne Mill. |
The Pale Flax, Linum bienne, is an attractive pale blue wildflower that is native to the Mediterranean region. It has spread widely in Europe and has been introduced into North America, where it flourishes on the Pacific coast, from Oregon to the central coast of California, and also in Pennsylvania; it is also found in Hawaii.
The Pale Flax grows as a perennial plant in grasslands and woodlands at heights up to 1000 metres. It has long, narrow stems and leaves, and five-petalled flowers whose petals are about 1 cm long and nearly round. They are pale blue but streaked with darker colour. It flowers in late spring and, at least in more temperate regions, through the summer. The flowers are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by bees and wasps.
The Pale Flax has been considered as a possible wild forebear of the cultivated Common Flax and a fibre can be made from its stem. It is sometimes grown as a garden plant.