Pine rocklands, marl prairies, and adjacent disturbed areas.

Sand flax is a small, slender-stemmed herb that typically reaches 10-15 inches tall, forming branches toward the top of the plant.  Leaves are very reduced; the plant is difficult to spot unless it is in flower. Tiny yellow 5-petaled flowers appear in the morning and usually shrivel away by afternoon. The fruit is a miniscule round capsule with a pointed beak.  

Short-lived perennial. 

Sand flax plants have a mixed mating system wherein plants are capable of setting fruit without pollination, but cross-pollination via small bees and flies will result in a higher seed set (this was determined through research by Dr. Brittany Harris).  Each capsule has the potential to produce 10 seeds.

Stiff yellow flax (Linum medium) and Florida yellow flax (Linum floridanum) are similar but they are not found in pine rocklands and their stems lack the red glands at the base of the leaves.