Pronounced (approximate): LY-num sul-KAY-tum
Yellow flowers have five broad petals. Slender stems have lengthwise grooves.
Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum): five-petaled yellow flower. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Linaceae
Life cycle Annual
Blooms Summer–early fall
Height About 8–28 inches
Habitat Dry prairies, open woods, glades, and sunny alkaline soils
Common names
Grooved Yellow Flax · Grooved Flax · Yellow Prairie Flax
Bloom timing and height vary with location. Native status refers to North America; see the regional range below.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Dry prairies, open woods, glades, and sunny alkaline soils. Flowering season: summer–early fall.
Several native flaxes have yellow flowers. Leaf-base glands, stem grooves, and flower size help separate this species from similar plants.
Yellow flowers have five broad petals.
Look for a pair of tiny dark glands near the base of a leaf.
Look for annual growth in dry prairies, open woods, glades, and sunny alkaline soils. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
5 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it.
Central and eastern Canada and the central and eastern United States.
Reported U.S. native distribution
AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WV, WI
State records describe documented distribution, not presence in every county. The observation map shows reported sightings and may include cultivated plants.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Grooved Yellow Flax in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.