Linum bienne Mill.

Slender to stout, annual to short-lived perennial herb up to 80–(100) cm high. Stems glabrous, simple to much-branched at base. Stem lvs always alternate, glabrous, usually linear, narrow-elliptic to obovate at base of stem, acuminate, 1–3-nerved, entire, (5)–8–15–(20) mm long; lvs subtending infl.-branches single, linear, usually < stem lvs. Infl. of few to numerous fls in a diffuse compound dichasium or corymb; sepals elliptic, acuminate, 4–6 mm long, < capsule; inner sepals often fimbriate, at least at flowering; petals usually pale blue or violet and darker veined, sometimes white, 2–2.5× as long as sepals, 7–11 mm long; styles united for (0)-?-(1/2) length. Capsule glabrous, globose, dehiscent, 5–6–(7) mm diam.; seeds elliptic and slightly narrowed to base, shiny light to dark brown, 2.5–3.5 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Nov.–Apr.