Lewis flax (Linum lewisii) is in the Flax Family family (Linaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 986 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Lewis flax: observations by month (U.S.)
About Lewis flax
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 (USDA Plant Profile: Linum lewisii). It grows on ridges and dry slopes, from sea level in the north up to 11,000 ft (3,400 m) in the Sierra Nevada.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Lewis flax by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 397 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Utah | 142 | June | Apr–Jul |
| California | 122 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Nevada | 112 | June | May–Aug |
| Oregon | 57 | June | May–Jul |
| Wyoming | 51 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Arizona | 27 | May | May–Sep |
| Montana | 19 | June | Jun–Sep |
| New Mexico | 18 | June | May–Aug |
| Idaho | 14 | May | May–Jul |
| North Dakota | 9 | June | May–Jul |
| Washington | 8 | May | May–May |
| South Dakota | 5 | June | Jun–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Flax Family)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Lewis flax?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from May to July.
Where is Lewis flax most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, Utah, California.