Lake County dwarf-flax
Hesperolinon didymocarpum H.Sharsm.
Lake County dwarf-flax has an exceptionally small home range. The California Native Plant Society records it only in the Big Canyon area near Middletown, with fewer than ten known occurrences. It is an annual member of the flax family, associated with the distinctive serpentine ground of California’s inner Coast Ranges. CNPS Rare Plant Inventory: Lake County western flaxFlora of North America: Hesperolinon didymocarpum
Botanical name
ITIS accepts Hesperolinon didymocarpum H.Sharsm., matching the catalog’s species and author. ITIS: Hesperolinon didymocarpum
Recognizing the plant
Plants reach about ten to thirty centimetres tall. Spreading branches carry alternate leaves so narrow that they appear almost threadlike. Open, repeatedly forked flower clusters hold the blooms far apart. Petals spread outward and range from white or pale pink to deeper purplish pink, often with contrasting streaks and a small notch at the tip. The stamens and two styles project beyond the flower’s central cup. Fruit stalks lengthen after flowering. Flora of North America: Hesperolinon didymocarpum
Bloom window
Lake County, California
The California Native Plant Society records the flowering period as May through July. CNPS Rare Plant Inventory: Lake County western flax
Native range
Its habitats include chaparral, foothill woodland and grassland, with serpentine soil a consistent feature in the current conservation inventory. Grazing, agriculture and urban development are identified there as potential threats. CNPS Rare Plant Inventory: Lake County western flax
Botanical sources
- ITIS: Hesperolinon didymocarpum
- CNPS Rare Plant Inventory: Lake County western flax
- Flora of North America: Hesperolinon didymocarpum
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.