Fairy Flax
EN

Fairy Flax

Linum catharticum

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linum_catharticum

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

White Flax faces severe population declines primarily due to agricultural intensification and the conversion of traditional hay meadows to intensive grassland management. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in mowing regimes, fertilizer application, and drainage of wet meadows, which alter the delicate soil chemistry and moisture conditions it requires. Habitat fragmentation has isolated remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting natural recolonization of suitable sites.

Threat summary

Habitat

White Flax inhabits calcareous grasslands, traditional hay meadows, and damp pastures, particularly favoring areas with base-rich soils and moderate moisture levels. The species thrives in low-intensity agricultural systems where traditional management practices maintain the open, species-rich grassland communities it depends upon.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Linaceae

AllseedEN

Allseed

Radiola linoides

Unknown
CR

Floreana flax

Linum cratericolum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Fairy Flax classified as Endangered?
Fairy Flax is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. White Flax faces severe population declines primarily due to agricultural intensification and the conversion of traditional hay meadows to intensive grassland management. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in mowing regimes, fertilizer application, and drainage of wet meadows, which alter the delicate soil chemistry and moisture conditions it requires. Habitat fragmentation has isolated remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting natural recolonization of suitable sites.
Where does Fairy Flax live?
Fairy Flax occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Fairy Flax?
The main threats to Fairy Flax are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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