Linum bienne
Gard. Dict. ed. 8, Linum no. 8. 1768.
Herbs, biennial or short-lived perennial (flowering 1st year), 6–60 cm, glabrous. Stems erect, usually branched from near base and in inflorescence. Leaves: blade linear to linear-lanceolate, 5–25 × 1–1.5 mm. Inflorescences open panicles. Pedicels 10–25 mm. Flowers homostylous; sepals ovate, 4–5.5 mm, margins of inner sepals minutely ciliate, outer glabrous, apex acute to acuminate; petals blue, obovate, 6–10 mm; stamens 4–5 mm; anthers 1–2.5 mm; staminodia present or absent; styles distinct, 2 mm; stigmas linear or clavate. Capsules broadly ovate to subglobose, 4–6 × 4–6 mm, apex very sharp-pointed, segments ± persistent on plant, margins ciliate. Seeds 2.5–3 × 1.5–2 mm. 2n = 30.
Phenology: Flowering Mar–Aug.
Habitat: Grasslands, woodlands, disturbed places.
Elevation: 0–1900 m.
Distribution
Introduced; B.C., Calif., Oreg., Pa., Europe, n Africa, also in South America (Argentina), also in South America (Chile), Pacific Islands (New Zealand)
Discussion
Linum bienne is thought to be the progenitor of L. usitatissimum (D. J. Ockendon 1971).
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
"wider" is not a number.