Blue Flax, Wild Flax, Prairie Flax, Lewis Flax,Linum lewisii,Flax Family (Linaceae)

Found in dry meadows, slopes
Seen blooming in May in Abiquiu

Blue Flax grows to over two feet tall with wiry, slender stems branching out from the base.  It often can be found growing in large patches. Leaves are small and grayish-green. Flowers are one inch across and open in the morning for just one day. Color varies from pale blue to almost purple with a silky sheen. Native Americans consumed the seeds for their flavor and nutrients. A tea made from the stems and leaves was used to treat various medical problems such as eye infections, stomach disorders, and swellings. Livestock exhibits a state of drowsiness when feeding on Blue Flax. Blue Flax was used to make strong rope. Today a cultivated flax is still grown for its "linen" fiber and "linseed oil". Source.
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