PRAIRIE FLAX 



Li'num lewi'sii 



W108 

 (2 leaves) 



Flowers blue (rarely white), stalked, usually 

 several in a flat-topped, end cluster 



Outer flower parts (sepals) 5, up to about % 

 in. long, egg-shaped, sharp-pointed, 3- to 5- 

 nerved, persistent 



Petals 5, up to about % in. long, soon falling 



Leaves alternate, erect, narrow to linear, 

 K to 1 in. long, sharp-pointed, stalkless, hairless 



Stems often densely tufted, erect, up to 30 

 in. high, often branched above, very leafy, 

 faintly ridged 



Stamens 5, with slender stalks (filaments) 

 united at base 



Threadlike stalks (styles) 5, elongated, with 

 small, knoblike tips (stigmas) turning inward 



Seed pod (capsule) somewhat globe-shaped, 

 5-celled, opening by 10 valves; each cell with a 

 partial partition, usually 2-seeded; seeds elon- 

 gate-lens-shaped 



Taproot woody, perennial, with a thickened 

 root crown 



