Linum arenicola

(Small) H. J. P. Winkler

in H. G. A. Engler et al., Nat. Pflanzenfam. ed. 2, 19a: 116. 1931.

Common names: Sand flax
EndemicConservation concern
Basionym: Cathartolinum arenicola Small in N. L. Britton et al., N. Amer. Fl. 25: 75. 1907
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 12. Treatment on page 380. Mentioned on page 378.

Herbs, perennial (flowering 1st year), 25–70 cm, glabrous. Stems erect, usually multiple from base, sometimes 1, unbranched or few-branched proximal to inflorescence, slender, wiry, prominently ribbed in inflorescence. Leaves early deciduous, alternate or basalmost opposite, appressed-ascending; stipular glands present, reddish, becoming dark; blade linear, 5–15 × 0.5–1.2 mm, margins entire or with scattered minute marginal glands, not ciliate, apex acute; 1-nerved. Inflorescences cymes. Pedicels 0–2 mm. Flowers: sepals persistent, lanceolate to ovate or inner ones sometimes obovate, outer sepals 2.5–3.6 mm, margins hyaline, not scarious, all glandular-toothed, apex acuminate; petals yellow, obovate, 4–6.5 mm; stamens 3 mm; anthers 0.3–0.7 mm; staminodia present or absent; styles distinct, 2–3 mm; stigmas capitate. Capsules pyriform, 2–2.5 mm diam., apex pointed, dehiscing readily into 10, 1-seeded segments, segments falling freely, false septa incomplete, margins of septa ciliate. Seeds 1–1.5 × 0.6–1 mm. 2n = 36.


Phenology: Flowering Feb–Jun(–Sep).
Habitat: Shallow soils of ephemeral pools, calcareous soils, slash pine woods over oölite, pine-palmetto rocklands, disturbed areas.
Elevation: 0–10 m.

Discussion

All parts of Linum arenicola flowers are yellow; the stamens are held close to the styles, with anthers at the same level as stigmas. The staminodia are low, deltoid, and less than 0.5 mm. Linum arenicola is only known from about nine sites in Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys in Monroe County. Its habitat of pine rocklands has been almost completely destroyed by urban development and altered fire regimes. J. R. McDill (2009) reported that L. arenicola grouped with L. rupestre (southwestern United States), L. flagellare (Small) H. J. P. Winkler (southcentral Mexico), and L. bahamense Northrop (Bahamas), all perennials with many branches arising from a woody taproot or caudex. Linum arenicola and L. bahamense both occur on calcareous soils, and C. M. Rogers (1984) considered them to be closely related.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Linum arenicola"
Nancy R. Morin +
(Small) H. J. P. Winkler +
Cathartolinum arenicola +
Sand flax +
0–10 m. +
Shallow soils of ephemeral pools, calcareous soils, slash pine woods over oölite, pine-palmetto rocklands, disturbed areas. +
Flowering Feb–Jun(–Sep). +
in H. G. A. Engler et al., Nat. Pflanzenfam. ed. +
Endemic +  and Conservation concern +
Mesyniopsis +
Linum arenicola +
Linum sect. Linopsis +
species +