UK Flowers: Herbs, Shrubs, Vines & Trees
UK Flowers

UK Scarlet Flax2

Herb Icon Cultivated Flower     Mildly Toxic
Image of Scarlet Flax
Linum grandiflorum
Family: Linaceae

Flower Properties

Property Value
English Name Scarlet Flax
Scientific Name Linum grandiflorum
MainColor White
PlantType Herb Icon Herb
Distribution Cultivated Flower Cultivated
Season Found August (Jun - Aug)
ImageUrl Linum-001
Photographer DP
Location Found Glyndebourne
Country Found UK
Last Updated 03 September 2026
Photo Quality A

Flower Details

Description

A delicate annual bearing brilliant scarlet-red flowers with glossy petals and fine stems. It provides striking summer colour in wildflower plantings and cottage gardens. The plant self-seeds easily and prefers sunny, well-drained sites.

Distribution

Native to North Africa; grown ornamentally throughout Europe, including the UK.

Medicinal/Other Uses

None specific to this species, though related species (Linum usitatissimum, common flax) are well-known for their oil and fibre uses.

Edibility

Not edible; ornamental only.

Human Toxicity Mildly Toxic
Mildly Toxic Mildly_Toxic

Potentially toxic if ingested in quantity. Seeds and leaves may contain small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides.

Pet Toxicity Pet Toxicity

Mildly toxic to pets if eaten in large amounts; may cause stomach upset.

Active Compounds

Lignans and linoleic acid derivatives similar to those in cultivated flax.

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