Scarlet Flax

Linum grandiflorum

Description:

A hardy, heat and drought-tolerant annual. Scarlet flax grows to 21/2 feet tall on slender, branched stems with narrow leaves. The round flowers, up to 11/2 inches in diameter, have 5 broad petals. The primary color is shades of red.

Habitat:

Xeric portion of wildlife habitat yard.

Notes:

Native to Northern Africa and Southern Europe, scarlet flax has now become naturalized throughout the U.S. During antiquity, Egyptian mummies were wrapped in linens formed from the fibers taken from the stems of flax species. Romans once used Linum fibers to create cords and sails for their ships (Hottes 1922).