About Linum floridanum (Planch.) Trel.
Linum floridanum, commonly called Florida yellow flax or yellow-fruited yellow flax, is a species of perennial flowering plant native to North America. It has two accepted varieties: L. floridanum var. chrysocarpum and L. floridanum var. floridanum. The natural range of both varieties extends from southeastern North Carolina south to Florida, and west to southern Mississippi. Outside this core range, L. floridanum var. floridanum can also be found in Louisiana and the West Indies. Mature Linum floridanum plants grow between 3 and 8 decimeters tall, which is approximately 0.98 to 2.62 feet. This species produces multiple erect stems. Its leaves are most often arranged alternately along stems, though some leaves may be arranged oppositely, and individual leaves grow between 0.8 and 2.5 centimeters long. The flowers of this species have five yellow petals, each 4 to 8 millimeters in length. The seeds produced by Linum floridanum are 1 to 1.3 millimeters long, shaped obovoid to ellipsoid, and brown in color. This species is thought to have a positive relationship with fire: one study found the highest density of flowering L. floridanum stalks occurred in areas that had been burned the previous year.
