NAT. ORDER. 



Linacea. 



LINTJM USITATISSIMUM. COMMON FLAX. 



Class V. Pentandria. Order V. Pentagynia. 



Gen. Char. Calyx five-leaved. Petals five. Capsules five-valved, 

 ten-celled. Seeds solitary. 



Spe. Char. Calyx and capsules mucronate. Petals crenate. Leaves 

 lanceolate, alternate. Stem generally solitary. 



The root is annual, simple and fibrous ; the stalk is erect, round, 

 smooth, branched towards the top, and rises from one to two feet in 

 height ; the branches are simple, alternate, and terminated by the 

 flowers, which are solitary, and of a sky-blue color ; the leaves are 

 lance-shaped, acute, sessile, smooth, glaucious, vertical, and alternately 

 scattered over the stalk and branches ; the calyx is divided into five 

 segments, which are semi-lance-shaped, pointed, and slightly fringed 

 with small hairs ; the corolla is funnel-shaped, consisting of five petals, 

 which are large, obovate, striated, and minutely scolloped at their ex- 

 tremities ; i\i& filaments are five, tapering, upright, about the length of 

 the calyx, united at the base, and crowned with simple anthers ; the 

 germen is oval ; the five styles are filiform, erect, and furnished with 

 reflected stigmas ; the capsule is globular, divided into five valves and 

 ten cells ; the seeds are solitary, glossy, and of a flat, oval sliape. It 

 is supposed to be a native of Egypt, and by some was thought to be 

 obtained from the great plains of central Asia. It flowers in June and 

 July, and ripens its fruit in August. Both the seeds and oil expressed 

 from them are oflficinal. 



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