Taxon Report

Hesperolinon tehamense H.K. Sharsm.

Tehama County western flax

Print Report


© 2018 John Doyen

Species Description:
Hesperolinon tehamense, commonly known as Tehama County western flax, is a annual herb in the Linaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, and Cismontane woodland, growing at elevations from 100 to 1250 meters. Hesperolinon tehamense is ranked 1B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.

  Classification

Scientific Name:
Hesperolinon tehamense H.K. Sharsm.
Common Name:
Tehama County western flax
Family: Linaceae
Element Code: PDLIN010C0
USDA Plants Symbol: HETE8
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: May-Jul May-Jul
Elevation: 100-1250 (330-4100)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Cismontane woodland
Microhabitat: Serpentine
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 16
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 8
   Good (B) 1
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 7
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Glenn (GLE), Tehama (TEH)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Chrome (3912265), Elk Creek (3912255), Felkner Hill (3912256), Hall Ridge (3912276), Newville (3912275), Paskenta (3912285), Raglin Ridge (4012216), Riley Ridge (3912286)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 3
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
8 50 %
Other 5 31%
Road/trail construction/maint. 5 31%
Non-native plant impacts 2 12%

Notes

Threats:

Threatened by vehicles and road maintenance.

Taxonomy:

Some plants from ALA, LAK, NAP, and STA cos. were previously treated as H. serpentinum ined.; plants from the inner north coast ranges of LAK and NAP cos. are now treated as H. sharsmithiae. Plants from ALA Co. are possibly H. clevelandii; needs further study. Similar to H. sharsmithiae.

Selected References

University of California Publications in Botany 32:298 (1961)
Hesperolinon tehamense profile for potential Species of Conservation Concern evaluation (2018)
USFS Potential Species of Conservation Concern Profile
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 15 January 2025].