{{Short description|Plant species in the flax family}} {{Speciesbox | image = Linum pratense.jpg | image_alt = Pale blue flower with five petals atop a thin stem with narrow leaves | image_caption = | status = {{TNCStatus}} | status_system = TNC | status_ref = <ref name="NatureServe">{{Cite NatureServe |date=3 January 2025 |id=2.142425 |title=''Linum pratense'' |access-date=24 January 2025}}</ref> | genus = Linum | species = pratense | authority = (Norton) Small | synonyms_ref = <ref name="POWO">{{cite POWO |id=140907-2 |title=''Linum pratense'' (Norton) Small |access-date=24 January 2025}}</ref> | synonyms = {{Species list | Adenolinum pratense | (Norton) W.A.Weber | Linum lewisii var. pratense | Norton }} }}
'''''Linum pratense''''', commonly called '''meadow flax''',<ref>{{PLANTS|id=LIPR|taxon=Linum pratense|accessdate=11 February 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{BONAP|ref|genus=Linum|species=pratense|accessdate=11 February 2018}}</ref><ref name=SDF>{{cite book |last=Spellenberg |first=Richard |date=2012 |title=Sonoran Desert Wildflowers, 2nd ed. |url= |location= |publisher= |page=128 |isbn= 9780762773688|author-link= }}</ref> Its natural habitat consists of dry, open prairies over calcareous or sandy soil.<ref name=Texas>{{cite book |last1=Diggs |first1=George |last2=Lipscomb |first2=Barney |last3=O'Kennon |first3=Robert |date=1999 |title=Flora of North Central Texas |url=http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm |location= |publisher=Botanical Research Institute of Texas |page=790 |isbn= |author-link= }}</ref> It can be found in both intact and disturbed communities.<ref name=Texas/><ref name=fna>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250101697 ''Linum pratense''] Flora of North America</ref>
''Linum pratense'' is a slender, erect annual. It blooms in spring through early summer, producing pale blue flowers.<ref>[http://www.kswildflower.org/flower_details.php?flowerID=200 Norton's Flax, ''Linum pratense''] Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=318108 ''Linum'' sect. ''Linum''] Flora of North America</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
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pratense Category:Flora of the United States
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