SafePlants

Brewer's Dwarf Flax (Hesperolinon breweri)

Hesperolinon breweri, commonly known as Brewer's dwarf flax or Brewer's western flax, is a rare annual herb belonging to the flax family (Linaceae).

Considerations for Pets and Children

• This plant is an herb, meaning it's a non-woody plant. This could make it appealing for pets or children to interact with.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Hesperolinon breweri (A. Gray) Small
• Family: Linaceae (Flax Family)
• Genus: Hesperolinon (dwarf-flax)
• Synonyms: Brewer's dwarf-flax, Brewer's western flax, Glandular dwarf flax, Glandular western flax

Distribution and Habitat

• Brewer's Dwarf Flax is native to California.
• It is often found in grassland areas and may occur in both northern mixed chaparral and Diablan sage scrub.
• Specifically mentioned locations include Mount Diablo State Park and East Contra Costa County.
• It is restricted to grassland areas within a 500+ buffer from oak woodland and chaparral/scrub.
• The largest known populations are located in Brewer's dwarf flax populations (25).

Morphological Characteristics

• It is an annual herb, specifically a forb/herb, which is a non-woody plant that is not a grass.

Ecological Role

• It is considered a rare species.
• Protecting occurrences of Brewer's dwarf flax outside currently protected public lands is an objective for some conservation efforts.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Brewer's dwarf flax shares its habitat with other notable species, including the California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, and Mount Diablo manzanita.

Further Information

• Discover Life provides information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Brewer's dwarf flax.
• The CNPS (California Native Plant Society) Inventory describes Brewer's dwarf flax.