Wild blue flax, Prairie flax, Lewis flax
Linum lewisii

Family: Linaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 70-80 cm tall. It branches from the base. The leaves are alternate and narrowly sword shaped. They are 1-2 cm long. The flowers are pale blue or sometimes white. The fruit are a rounded pod or capsule. It contains 2 large seeds.

There are about 200 Linum species. This one has seeds with high nutritive value.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on dry hillsides and meadows near the treeline in the Rocky Mountains.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Canada, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The seeds are cooked and eaten. They also add flavour to other foods. They can be dried and ground into flour. Caution: Flax seeds should not be eaten raw.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Linum decurrens Kellogg; Linum lyallanum Alef.; and others