Syn.: Cathartolinum earlei Small, Cathartolinum rigidum (Pursh) Small, Mesynium rigidum (Pursh) Á. Löve et D. Löve, Nezera rigida (Pursh) Nieuwl.
Family: Linaceae S. F. Gray
Distribution: North American species found in the centre of the continent, from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba in Canada and in the states of US south of these Canadian provinces. Absent in the west and east.
Ecology: Open grasslands, dry, sandy soils. Blooms in June and July, but for very short period.
Description: Perennial herb, 10–50 cm tall, usually on short stem, pale green, branches angular, hairless, from shallow fibrous roots. Leaves alternate, linear to lanceolate, 5–25 mm long. Inflorescence is a few-flowered corymb; flowers 10–20 mm across, pentamerous; sepals lanceolate, margins hairy, petals yellow, with orange bases. Fruit is a capsule, oval, about 5 mm.
These images were taken in Canada, Alberta, Calgary, Confluence Park (June 26 and July 3, 2015).
