Linum monogynum

Linum monogynum, the rauhuia or New Zealand linen flax, is a <a href="/facts/Species/oDg6b96r">species</a> of <a href="/facts/Flowering_plant/E5eGYIvY">flowering plant</a> in the <a href="/facts/Family_(botany)/qTrn6E8E">family</a> Linaceae, which is <a href="/facts/Endemism/xt4IpIsl">endemic</a> to New Zealand. It is a low-growing short-lived <a href="/facts/Perennial_plant/MQ3NvAUW">perennial</a> or woody <a href="/facts/Subshrub/NRV9LAHv">subshrub</a>, growing up to 16 in (41 cm) tall. Its spear-shaped, leathery-gray to green leaves are 0.2–1 inches (5–25 mm) long. Its pretty white flowers are up to 1 in (2.5 cm) in diameter, and have five overlapping petals. It is <a href="/facts/Monoecious/Up20kQT3">monoecious</a>, having both male and female organs on one plant (hence the Latin <a href="/facts/Specific_epithet/jgBqAhPv">specific epithet</a> monogynum, literally "single wife").
Separate populations on <a href="/facts/Chatham_Island/FHmyTIbE">Chatham Island</a> are more robust with blue-white flowers, and may be referred to as L. monogynum var. chathamicum. There may also be variations amongst the mainland populations.
This tough compact plant is well able to cope with the harsh conditions of New Zealand's coasts, often with gale-force salt-laden winds. It is a close relative to the true <a href="/facts/Flax/rm28CMyJ">flax</a> of the Northern Hemisphere, Linum usitatissimum, but is not closely related to the much better-known plants called New Zealand flax (species in the genus <a href="/facts/Phormium/txucUuQg">Phormium</a>).

Linum monogynum open-in-new

Linum monogynum