The Spring Mountains ECHO

Blue Flax (Linum Perenne)

Barbara Washington

Our recent explorations in the Spring Mountains, as usual, included sightings of spring time favorites. Blue or Wild Flax is described in our flower books as a widely distributed, medium-tall plant. This five-petaled blue flower opens early in the morning, quickly fades to white and drops the blossom in gentle breezes.

Look for thin unbranched stems with one-inch narrow leaves topped by bright blue to white flowers from the base of the mountains (occurring with rabbitbrush and sagebrush) up through the ponderosa pine forests.

The tough stems of this plant have traditionally been used to make cordage and linen. The oily seeds, which must be cooked properly to purge them of poisonous properties, were used as a food source by native peoples of the area.