Hesperolinon

Hesperolinon is a genus in the family Linaceae, whose common genus names are dwarf-flax or western flax, in reference to their distribution along the west coast of North America. There are 13 known species within this genus of wildflowers, most of which are limited to serpentine soil habitats within California, United States.[1] These annual plants are thought to be mostly self-pollinating.

Hesperolinon
Hesperolinon micranthum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Linaceae
Subfamily: Linoideae
Genus: Hesperolinon
(Gray) Small
Species

13, see text

Description

Stems vary between five and fifty centimeters in length, with thread-like to linear leaves generally alternate: the leaves are typically not planar and not clasping. Cymes are characteristically open and pedicels are somewhat thread-like and ascending. The flower has five sepals, whose margins may be minutely gland-toothed. Five petals are widely spreading between one and twelve millimeters in dimension. These yellow, white or rose colored petals each manifest three minute scales at the inner base. There are five stamens and four to six ovary chambers; styles number two to three. Fruits have a smooth surface exterior.

Species

References
  1. Helen K. Sharsmith, 1961 Univ Calif Publ Bot, 32:235–314


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