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Common Flax

Linum usitatissimum

Found in roadsides, other disturbed places, not long persisting after agricultural use. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Alabama. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
2 feet–3 feet 4 inches
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Somewhat dry to moist
See native alternatives

Plant this instead

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  • Heartleaf Aster
    Symphyotrichum cordifolium

    Sun: Dappled sunlight, Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Blue.

    Similar growth form, height, flower color

  • Narrowleaf Silkgrass
    Pityopsis graminifolia

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Good drainage. Flowers: Yellow.

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

  • Great Blue Lobelia
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    Sun: Dappled sunlight, Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: Blue.

    Similar growth form, height, flower color

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At a glance

Life cycle
Annual
Leaves
Semi-evergreen
Bloom
April to September

Not yet recorded · Spread

Recorded in 5 Alabama counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

14CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AL

Genus host records with ranges including AL · Linum

  • Anticarsia gemmatalisVelvetbean Caterpillar Moth
  • Chloridea virescensTobacco Budworm Moth
  • Chrysodeixis includensSoybean Looper Moth
  • Elasmopalpus lignosellaLesser Cornstalk Borer
  • Euptoieta claudiaVariegated Fritillary, (?)Gulf Fritillary
  • Feltia jaculiferaDingy Cutworm
  • Feltia subgothicaSubgothic Dart
  • Helicoverpa zeaCorn Earworm Moth
  • Mythimna unipunctaArmyworm Moth, White Speck
  • Paleacrita vernataSpring Cankerworm Moth
Show all 14
  • Spodoptera albulaWhite-Spotted Armyworm, Gray-Streaked Armyworm
  • Spodoptera eridaniaSouthern Armyworm Moth
  • Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
  • Xestia dolosaGreater Black-Letter Dart, Greater Spotted Cutworm
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
3BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Linum

  • Antigone canadensisSandhill Crane
  • Tympanuchus pallidicinctusLesser Prairie-Chicken
  • Tympanuchus phasianellusSharp-tailed Grouse
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Linaceae
Hardiness
Zones 4a–8b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
Blue

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Conservation status

Alabama rankSNA
Global rankGNR
AL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources