About Linum alpinum Jacq.
Linum alpinum Jacq. has erect or recumbent, densely leafed stems that reach an average height of 10–50 cm (3.9–19.7 in). This plant is glabrous and woody at the base. It bears alternate, linear-lanceolate, sessile leaves that grow up to 2.5 cm (0.98 in) long. Its hermaphrodite flowers are fairly large, radially symmetric, blue with yellow coloring at the base, and measure 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) in diameter. Flowers grow on erect or slightly inclined pedicels, arranged in loose clusters that hold 1 to 8 flowers each. The sepals are unequal, 5–7 mm long, with three veins at the base. Petals are 12–20 mm long, three to four times the length of the sepals. Fruits are capsules 6–8 mm long, and each fruit compartment holds one blackish seed. This species is quite similar to Linum leonii and Linum ockendonii. As an orophyte species, it occurs in central and southern Europe and western Asia. It grows in rocky lawns, limestone hills and mountains including the Pyrenees, Alps, Apennines, Rhodope Mountains and Urals, at elevations of 1,400–2,500 m (4,600–8,200 ft) above sea level.
