73 LINEJE. [Linum. 



1-2 in each cell, pendulous, raphe ventral. Capsule septicidally splitting 

 into 2-valved cocci. Seeds compressed, albumen fleshy ; embryo long, 

 cotyledons plano-convex. — Distrib. All regions ; genera 14 ; species 

 135. — Affinities, slight with M alva'cece and Gerania'cece ; more close with 

 Malpighia'cece and Ternstrozmia'ceoz. — Properties. Mucilaginous, oily, 

 diuretic ; seeds occasionally purgative ; bark fibrous (as in flax). 



Sepals 5, quite entire 1. Linum. 



Sepals 4, 2-4-toothed 2. Radiola. 



1. LINUM, L. Flax. 



Herbs or small shrubs. Leaves alternate, rarely opposite, narrow, quite 

 entire ; stipules or glandular. Flowers in dichotomous panicled race- 

 mose or fascicled cymes. Sepals 5, entire. Petals 5, distinct or connate 

 below, fugacious. Stamens 5, hypogynous, connate at the base, alternating 

 with 5 minute staminodes. Disk of 5 glands opposite the petals. Ovary 

 5-celled, cells sometimes divided into 2 ; styles 5 ; ovules 2 in each prin- 

 cipal cell. Cocci 5, 1- or partially 2-celled, 2-seeded. Albumen scanty ; 

 embryo straight. — Distrib. Temp, and warm regions ; species 80. — 

 Etym. The classical name. 



1. I«. cathar'ticum, L. ; annual, small, leaves opposite, upper alter- 

 nate, buds nodding, petals distinct. Purging Flax. 



Heaths and pastures, N. to Shetland ; ascends to 2,400 ft. in the Highlands ; 

 Ireland ; Channel Islands ; fl. June-Sept. — Glabrous, glaucous, 2-10 in., 

 very slender. Leaves linear-oblong. Flowers ^-j in. diam., white, homo- 

 gamous. Petals oblong, acute or obtuse. — Distrib. Europe (Arctic), 

 Canaries, W. Asia to Persia. 



2. L. peren'ne, L. ; perennial, leaves alternate narrow linear-lanceolate 

 acute, sepals obovate obtuse glabrous 3-5-nerved, petals distinct. 



Chalky soils, very rare, from Durham to Essex ; fl. June- July. — Glabrous, 

 Stems many, 1-2 ft., wiry, very slender. Leaves §-§ in. Cymes few- 

 flowered, racemose. Flowers 1 in. diam., bright blue, dimorphous (long- 

 styled and short-styled). Sepals obovate, 3 inner broader, quite entire. — 

 Distrib. Mid. and S. Europe, to India. 



3. If. angustifo'lium, Huds. ; annual or perennial, leaves alternate 

 narrow linear-lanceolate, outer sepals ovate acuminate, inner ciliate 

 3 -nerved. 



From Lancashire southd. ; Ireland rare ; Channel Islands ; fl. May-Sept. — 

 Glabrous, glaucous. Stems 1-2 ft. ; branches few, divaricate. Leaves as in 

 L. peren'ne, but fewer and smaller. Cymes few-flowered. Flowers ^-§ in., 

 pale lilac-blue. — Distrib. W. and S. Europe, to W. Asia, N. Africa. 



L. usitatis'simum, L. ; annual, leaves alternate linear-lanceolate, sepals 

 ovate acuminate ciliate 3-nerved, petals crenulate. Common Flax. 

 An escape of flax-fields ; fl. June-July. — Larger than any of the preceding. 



Stem corymbosely branched above. Cymes broad, many-flowered. — Distrib. 



Wherever flax is cultivated for oil or fibre. 





