Floreana flax
Linum cratericolum
Floreana flax (Linum cratericolum) is an endemic flowering plant species found exclusively on Floreana Island in the Galápagos archipelago. This small herbaceous plant produces delicate blue or white flowers and grows in low, spreading mats across volcanic terrain.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Family
Linaceae
Genus
Linum
Floreana flax belongs to the family Linaceae, order Malpighiales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Floreana flax (Linum cratericolum) is an endemic flowering plant species found exclusively on Floreana Island in the Galápagos archipelago. This small herbaceous plant produces delicate blue or white flowers and grows in low, spreading mats across volcanic terrain. As a native plant species, it plays a crucial role in the island's fragile ecosystem by providing habitat structure and supporting endemic invertebrates.
Floreana flax is critically endangered due to its extremely restricted range on Floreana Island in the Galápagos, where it faces severe pressure from invasive plant species that compete for resources and alter habitat conditions. The species' tiny population size and limited distribution make it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and ongoing habitat degradation from introduced flora.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Floreana flax grows in the arid coastal zones and volcanic crater areas of Floreana Island, thriving in well-drained volcanic soils and rocky crevices. The species is adapted to the island's dry climate and is typically found in areas with sparse vegetation cover at low to moderate elevations.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Floreana flax is critically endangered due to its extremely restricted range on Floreana Island in the Galápagos, where it faces severe pressure from invasive plant species that compete for resources and alter habitat conditions. The species' tiny population size and limited distribution make it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and ongoing habitat degradation from introduced flora.
Extremely small population size
Habitat degradation
Invasive plant species competition
Restricted geographic range
Stochastic events
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Floreana flax (Linum cratericolum). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/floreana-flax