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Linum usitatissimum

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
LY-num yoo-sit-ah-TIS-sih-mum
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Slender, erect, annual herb; leaves simple, alternate, narrow, smooth-margined; flowers pale blue, 5-parted, the petals broad and spreading; fruit a capsule

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Linum
    Species:
    usitatissimum
    Family:
    Linaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Pale blue, 5-parted, the petals broad and spreading
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Simple, alternate, narrow, and smooth-margined
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Linseed oil may cause skin irritation upon contact. Ingestion causes difficulty of breathing, paralysis, and convulsions.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Cyanogenic glycoside (linomarin)
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems