Sometimes the most simple of plants holds the greatest beauty.  This month’s Native plant is small and unassuming, yet it is one of the prettiest little flowers that you can find.  Its bright flowers really add a touch of class to any landscape, prairie plot, or natural area.  Know as stiff stemmed Flax, yellow flax or Prairie Flax, even the scientific community isn’t quite sure what to call this little jewel.  The botanical name is either Linum berlandieri or Linum rigidum depending on who you ask. 

Prairie Flax is a low growing annual flower that typically grows to be about ten inches tall.  Its brilliant yellow to copper toned petals are often streaked with red to orange lines that lead to the center of the flower.  It can be found growing in almost any soil type, but prefers at least a half of day of sun to really bloom well.   Its natural habitat ranges from Canada to Georgia westward to Oklahoma, Texas and eastern New Mexico.  It does need well drained soils and can be found in rocky hillsides to lush grass lands.  The Prairie Flax is normally in bloom from February to June and it is an excellent plant to attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.  

Linum is the Latin word for flax and Flax plants are used around the world to produce fibers for cloth and thread.  Another important use for this plant is the production of linseed oil.  The species name for Prairie Flax honors Jean Luis Berlandier, who was an explorer and plant collector that was originally from Belgium. 

I find Prairie Flax to be very well suited for use in flower beds in a xeriscape setting.  It also does well as a potted plant and can add a splash of color in even the hottest and driest conditions. Its beauty is most appreciated in a mass planting or as a specimen plant that  is near the viewer, so that they can see the detail of the inviting blooms.  Prairie Flax is very easily grow from seed and can occasionally be found at Native Plant Nurseries across the state.

There are several other Native species of flax that thrive in Texas, as well.  Yellow Flax or Linum sulcatum, Blue Flax or Linum lewisii, Texas Flax or Linum medium, Meadow Flax or Linum pratense and many others all are great Texas native plants.   Everyone has their own favorites, but I think the Prairie Flax is by far the showiest of them all.