Linum lewisii (Linum perenne var. lewisii) (Lewis flax, blue flax or prairie flax) is a perennial plant in the family Linaceae, native to western North America from Alaska south to Baja California, and from the Pacific Coast east to the Mississippi River. It grows on ridges and dry slopes, from sea level in the north up to in the Sierra Nevada. It is a slender herbaceous plant growing to tall, with spirally arranged narrow lanceolate leaves long. The flowers are pale blue or lavender to white, often veined in darker blue, with five petals 1–1.5 cm long. The plant was named for North American explorer Meriwether Lewis. Cultivation Linum lewisii is extremely durable, even aggressive, in favorable conditions, successfully seeding even into established lawns. Uses According to Melvin R. Gilmore, the seeds were gathered by Native Americans and cooked for their flavor and nutritious quality. Some Native Americans used the fibers to make cordage. References Mojave Desert Wildflowers, Jon Mark Stewart, 1998, pg. 141 Illinois wildflowers: Linum perenne lewisii Fine gardening: Linum lewisii lewisii Flora of the Western United States Flora of California Flora of Baja California Drought-tolerant plants Garden plants Flora without expected TNC conservation status