Linum lewisii is in the family Linaceae. Commonly known as western blue flax, it is native to most of North America west of the Mississippi River. Western blue flax is a perennial plant growing in open meadows and in disturbed areas such as roadsides. The seeds of this plant are edible when cooked, and while not the species from which commercial flaxseed is derived from, have similar nutritional qualities. However, raw seeds should not be eaten as they contain high levels of cyanide.





