Linum africanum

Linum africanum, commonly known as African flax, is a hairless, soft perennial that grows multistemmed and slender-stemmed to heights from 20 cm to 50 cm from a persistent, woody rootstock. The species forms part of the Linaceae or flax family.

The opposite, stalkless leaves are narrowly lance-shaped with acutely pointed tips and entire margins. There is a small, dark, stipular gland at the base of each leaf.

The inflorescence is a loose panicle of short-pedicelled, bright yellow flowers, often reddish on the outside surfaces of the five petals that tend to drop off early. The five sepals overlap, their margins bearing glandular teeth. The obovoid petals start off in bud furled like an umbrella. The five stamens are joined at the base, the two styles also joined in their lower halves. The ovary comprises five carpels that develop into an ovoid capsule. Flowering happens from spring to after midsummer.

The species distribution of this South African endemic is in the Western Cape from around Hopefield and the Cape Peninsula to the western coastal part of the Eastern Cape.

The habitat is coastal sand and limestone slopes and flats. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century (Privett and Lutzeyer, 2010; Manning, 2007; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Bean and Burman, 1985; iNaturalist; https://www.fernkloof.org.za; http://redlist.sanbi.org).