Western Blue Flax (c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Last summer while I was hiking in Colorado I kept seeing (and photographing) these wonderful bright blue wildflowers. My challenge was figuring out what they were – my initial identification was that they were some sort of geranium. Fortunately, one of my twitter friends was able to correctly identify the wildflowers as Western Blue Flax.
Western Blue Flax (Linum lewisii) is a wildflower native to much of the western U.S. and to most of Canada. A perennial member of the Linaceae (flax) family, it prefers to grow in sunny meadows and fields. Cooked seeds of western blue flax are edible – raw seeds should not be eaten as they contain cyanide. Recent scientific research has identified many potential health benefits and medicinal uses of flaxseed. Fibers from flax plants have been used to make everything from string to linen fabrics. The oil of some flax plants has been used as a light source and in paints and varnishes.
So now only are the flowers of the Western Blue Flax incredibly beautiful, but the plant is very useful as well.
Until February 28, 2011, SAVE 20% off the regular prices for Western Blue Flax. The photograph is available through my website in two sizes of gallery-wrapped canvases.
Save $ 11 on the 10X10″ Canvas – regular price $ 55 – February Photo of the Month Price – $ 44.00
Save $ $ 90 on the 20X20″ Canvas – regular price $ 447 – February Photo of the Month Price – $ 357.00
Free shipping to U.S. Addresses for either size photograph.
As with all photographs from BeautifulFlowerPictures.com, Western Blue Flax comes with my Unconditional Happiness Guarantee. You have one year to decide that it is the perfect photograph for you. If it’s not, just return it (in original condition) for a full refund.