[ 431 ] 
e 
LinUM QuaDRIFOLIUM. Four-LEAVED | 
FLAX @, 2 
ee eS 
Clafs and Order. 
: ; 6 
PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. 
Generic Charaéer. s = 
Cal. 5-phyllus. _Petala 5. Cap/. 5-Valvis, 10-locularis. Sem. 
- folitaria. . SS 
Specific Charaéter and Synonyms. 
LINUM quadrifolium foliis _quaternis. Linn. § yf. Vegetab, 
ed. 14, Murr, p- 303. 
LINUM africanum rubiz foliis quidternis ftellatis, Rait Suppl. . 
“ 
<4 : 
H 
} 
Our plant accords exaétly with the Liaum quadrifolium of 
Linneus, and as fuch it is regarded at the royal garden, 
Kew, where we faw it in flower this fpring, 1798; it agrees 
_alfo with the defcription of Ray, fo far as relates to its {pecific 
charaéter, quoted by Linn aus, but the flowers of Ray’s plant 
are defcribed as blue, it is mo probably therefore the guadri- 
Solium of Linn xus, but not of Ray. 
The ftalks of this fpecies rife to the height of about two 
feet, are much branched at their fummits, on which are pro- 
duced numerous yellow flowers, fmaller than thofe of L. arbo- — ' 
reum or flavum, to either of which, as an ornamental plant, it 
mutt be allowed to be inferior ; yet it is not without its fhare 
of elegance and beauty. | 
It is a native of the Cape, newly introduced to our green- 
houfes, flowers in May and June, and is readily increaled by ry | 
cuttings, : 
