Bitter flax (Linum catharticum, Sp. Pl.: 281 (1753))

Family: Linaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 281 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Linum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to W. Siberia and Iran, Morocco

Description

Bitter flax, scientifically known as Linum catharticum, is a fascinating plant that belongs to the Linaceae family. This plant, first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” holds a unique place in the botanical world.

Native primarily to Europe, Bitter flax extends its reach through Western Siberia and Iran, even touching regions in Morocco. It adapts well across this expanse, showcasing its resilient nature and versatility in different climates and soils.

Bitter flax typically thrives in grasslands and meadows, often favoring calcareous soils. Its delicate structure features slender stems and small, opposite leaves which are a hallmark of its Linaceae family heritage. The flowers, blooming in intricate clusters, possess a charming simplicity with their white petals and are a visual delight.

From a historical perspective of usage, Linum catharticum has been known for its medicinal properties. Traditionally, it has been employed for its purgative effects, echoing its Latin species name “catharticum.”

In summary, Bitter flax is not just a plant of aesthetic value, but it also embodies a significant botanical and historical legacy. Its presence across diverse terrains and its utility in traditional medicine make it a plant worth acknowledging and preserving.

Sources:
– Linnaeus, C. (1753). Species Plantarum.

Common Names

Eng: bitter flax, cathartic flax, fairy flax, mountain flax, purging flax, white flax, purging flax, fairy flax, dwarf flax
Deu: purgier-lein, purgierlein
Dan: vild hør
Swe: ahopellava, vildlin
Fin: ahopellava
Nld: geelhartje
Fra: lin purgatif
Nor: purgeer-liin
Nno: vill-lin
Nob: vill-lin
Sme: meahccebeallemas
Cym: llin y mynydd, llin y tylwyth teg
Gla: lus na mban sí
Kat: სელი
En: Bitter flax, Cathartic flax, Mountain flax, Purging flax, Fairy flax, White flax, Purging flax, fairy flax, Dwarf flax
Ar: كتان مسهل
Az: İşlədici kətan
Be: Лён слабіцельны
Bg: Слабителен лен
Ca: Lli purgant
Cs: Len luční, Len počistivý, Lneček luční
Da: Vild Hør
Nl: Geelhartje
Et: Aaslina
Fi: Ahopellava
Fr: Lin purgatif, Lin cathartique
Ka: Სელი
De: Purgier-Lein, Purgierlein, Wiesen-Lein, Abführ-Lein
Hu: Békalen
Is: Villilín
Ga: Lus na mban sí
It: Lino purgativo
Se: Meahccebeallemas
No: Vill-lin, Purgeer-liin
Nb: Vill-lin
Nn: Vill-lin
Fa: کتان پری
Pl: Len przeczyszczający
Pt: Linho-purgante
Ru: Лен слабительный, Лён слабительный
Gd: Lus na mban sí
Sk: Ľan prečisťujúci
Es: Canchelagua, Canchilagua, Cantilagua, Lino catártico, Lino purgante, Lino
Sv: Vildlin, Ahopellava
Uk: Льон проносний
Cy: Llin y tylwyth teg, Llin y Mynydd

Synonyms

• Cathartolinum catharticum ((L.) Small)
• Linum catharticum f. conferta (Murb.)
• Cathartolinum pratense (Rchb.)
• Nezera cathartica ((L.) Nieuwl.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2019 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2019 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 16, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 28, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken May 6, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 1988 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − LE ROY Jean-Pierre (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 7, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2873865)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:544405-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Linum catharticum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 4

Soil salinity: 1