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| ## blue flax {#blue-flax .Title-Header}                               |
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| *Linum perenne* L.                                                    |
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| Plant Symbol = LIPE2                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Idaho State Office

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.2916666666666665in" height="3.4375in"}

Mark Skinner

USDA NRCS NPDC

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Grazing/rangeland*: The cultivar \'Appar\' is noted to have fair forage
value for livestock and wildlife during spring and winter. It stays
green throughout the growing season providing some forage value. Birds
use the seed and capsules in fall and winter. All species of flax
provide diversity to the seeded plant community.

*Erosion control/reclamation*: All species of flax are noted for their
value in mixes for erosion control and beautification values.

*Wildlife*: The leaves and seed of flaxes are considered desirable
forages for deer, antelope, and birds. Flax plants may also provide some
cover for selected small bird species. They provide diversity to the
plant community.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*Linum perenne* is introduced from Eurasia. In general, flax is an
annual or short-lived, semi-evergreen perennial forb, sometimes
semi-woody at base with attractive flowers ranging from white to blue to
yellow to red in color. Flax is common to the western United States.

Flax plants have many narrow, small, alternate (rarely opposite), simple
and entire leaves that are sessile (lacking stalks) on the stems. The
generally showy flowers are borne in clusters. The flower is
five-parted, the fruit a capsule, and the seeds in most species are
slimy when wet. Cultivated flax is grown both for fiber (flax) and for
seed oil (linseed).

##### Adaptation {#adaptation .Header-3}

Flaxes do best on well drained soils. Most types do well on infertile,
disturbed soils. They have excellent cold winter and drought tolerance.
They will tolerate weakly saline to weakly acidic sites. They are
usually found in open areas, but will tolerate semi-shaded conditions.
They are fire resistant because the leaves and stems stay green with
relatively high moisture content during the fire season.

Blue flax is distributed throughout the midwest to the northeastern
portions of the United States. For a current distribution map, please
consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Flax should be seeded with a drill or broadcast at a depth of 1/4 inch
or less into a firm seedbed. The ideal seeding depth is 1/8 inch. Flax
is not recommended for single species seedings. The full seeding rate
(not recommended) for this plant is 5 pounds Pure Live Seed (PLS) per
acre or 30 PLS per square foot. When used as a component of a mix,
adjust to percent of mix desired. For mined lands and other harsh
critical areas, doubling the seeding rate of the flax component of a mix
is not required.

The best seeding results are obtained from seeding in late fall to very
early spring (because many mixes contain cool season grasses) on heavy
to medium textured soils and in late fall on medium to light textured
soils. Late summer (August-mid September) seeding is not recommended.
Dormant fall seedings (preferred seeding period for flax) will prechill
seed and reduce seed dormancy which may be present. Mulching,
irrigation, and weed control all benefit stand establishment. Seedling
vigor is good, but not as good as most grasses. Germination normally
occurs the first growing season, but may not occur until the second
growing season. Full flowering should not be expected until at least the
second growing season.

Stands may require weed control measures during establishment. Because
flaxes are broad-leaved, use of 2,4-D is not recommended. Mow weeds at
or prior to their bloom stage. New stands may also be damaged by
grasshoppers and other insects and pesticides may be needed.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Growth of flax begins in early spring and flowers appear in mid May
through early July depending on species. Weed control and removal of
very competitive species may improve flax establishment. Damage from
wildlife and rodents may occur and these animals may need to be
controlled.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Disease problems are minimal with flax.

##### Environmental Concerns {#environmental-concerns .Header-3}

Flax species establish and spread relatively quickly via seed
distribution. They are not considered \"weedy\" or invasive species, but
can spread into adjoining vegetative communities under ideal climatic
and environmental conditions. They coexist with other species and add
biodiversity to those plant communities.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

\'Appar\' blue flax (*Linum perenne* L.) is a selected release from seed
originally collected in the Black Hills of South Dakota. \'Appar\' was
selected by the Aberdeen, ID Plant Materials Center for outstanding
vigor, beauty, and competitiveness with grasses prevalent on sites where
it was collected. It was released in 1980 by the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, University of Idaho Agricultural Experiment
Station, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the Forest Service
Forest and Range Experiment Station. \'Appar\' was released as a native
flax (*Linum lewisii*), but was later determined to be a naturalized
species from Europe. \'Appar\' was named in honor of A. Perry

Plumber, Forest Service who collected the original material. \'Appar\'
is a hardy, relatively short-lived, introduced perennial forb, 12 to 36
inches tall with deep blue flowers that bloom profusely for about six
weeks beginning in mid May. It is well adapted to sunny open slopes,
well drained soils from moderately basic to weakly acidic, 10 to 18 inch
rainfall areas, at 1,000 to 6,000 feet elevation. It has some shade
tolerance, but is not tolerant of poor drainage, flooding, or high water
tables. It does well seeded in mixtures with other species. Its intended
uses are erosion control, reclamation, highway right-of-ways, homes,
gardens, parks, diversity and beautification. Certified seed is readily
available through commercial sources and breeder seed is maintained by
the Aberdeen Plant Materials Center. Foundation and registered seed are
available for each variety through the appropriate state Crop
Improvement Association or commercial sources to grow certified seed.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

Dan Ogle, Plant Materials Specialist

USDA NRCS, Boise, Idaho

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060802 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060802-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*