Linum pratense (J. B. S. Norton) Small

Linum pratense (J. B. S. Norton) Small
Linum Leunsii pratense J. B. S. Norton, Trans. Acad. St. Louis 12 : 38. 1902.
Plants perennial, 1-6 dm. tall, the stems commonly branched at the base, striate in age ; leaves mainly ascending, commonly numerous and rather crowded on the lower part of the stem, the blades narrowly linear to linear-subulate, 0.5-1 cm. long, or sometimes slightly longer, more or less involute, rather succulent; bracts subulate; pedicels 0.5-1.5 cm. long at maturity and then curved at the base; sepals mostly 4-5 mm. long at maturity, the outer ovate to oblong-ovate, acute or short-acuminate, the inner broader than the outer, usually mucronulate, all eciliate ; petals blue, 1-1. 5cm. long, mostly less than 1.5cm. long; styles distinct or slightly united at the base ; capsules similar to those of Linum Lewisii in shape, but less than twice as long as the sepals, the septa ciliate ; seeds about 4 mm. long.
Type locality : Kearney County, Nebraska. Distribution : Saskatchewan to'Texas and Arizona.

Linum pratense, commonly called meadow flax, is a species of flowering plant in the flax family (Linaceae). It is native to the United States, where it is found in the south-central and southwestern regions of the country. Its natural habitat is in dry, open prairies over calcareous or sandy soil. It can be found in both intact and disturbed communities.

Linum pratense is a slender, erect annual. It blooms in spring through early summer, producing pale blue flowers. This species bears a strong resemblance to Linum lewisii, and they are known to intergrade in areas where their ranges overlap. Linum pratense can be distinguished by its annual habit, shorter styles, and obtuse capsule tips. In contrast, Linum lewisii is a perennial with longer styles and acute capsule tips.

Linum pratense là một loài thực vật có hoa trong họ Linaceae. Loài này được (Norton) Small mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1907.