(Linaceae)

Flowers are organized alphabetically by genus and species. Hover over a photo series to control the images.

Bristle Flax (Linum aristatum)

New Mexico hosts multiple species of flax with yellow flowers. This species ID and my next one represent my best guesses. If you stop your own ID at "yellow flax," no one will fault you for that.

With its small flowers on an inconspicuous plant, bristle flax is easy to overlook. It branches a lot, including at the plant's base. It prefers dry, sandy places between 4,000 and 8,000 feet.

Southern Flax (Linum australe)

When a stem of Southern flax branches, it's usually in the upper half of the stem. It's found in open plains, foothills, and woodlands between 4,000 and 9,000 feet.

Wild Blue Flax (Linum lewisii)

Plains Flax (Linum puberulum)

These are tiny, and easily lost in the grass. The yellow flowers with red centers will help you make the ID. Despite its name, this species clusters in the Southwest, not the Great Plains.