FLAX FAMILY 143 



distinct. Ovary 1, 3-angled, made up of 3-5 1-ovuled carpels ; 

 style 1 ; stigmas 3-5. Fruit not opening. 



TROPiEOLUM L. 



Characteristics of the genus those of the family above given, 

 together with the following : 



Petals usually 5, clawed, the 2 upper inserted at the mouth 

 of the spur and unlike the 3 lower ones. Stamens 8, ripening 

 unequally, the filaments curved. Fruit 3-celled, 3-seeded. Cul- 

 tivated from S.A. for the very showy flowers and the sharp- 

 flavored fruits, which are often pickled. 



1. T. majusL. Common Nasturtium. Climbing by the petioles 

 6-8 ft. (there is also a low variety which does not climb). Leaves 

 romidish but more or less 6-angled, peltate, with the petiole attached 

 near the middle. Flowers varying from almost white to nearly black, 

 but commonly crimson, scarlet, or flame color. 



51. LINAGES. Flax Family 



Herbs, shrubs, or trees. Leaves usually alternate, simple, 

 entire, sometimes with stipules. Flowers variously clustered. 

 Sepals 5, distinct or united. Petals 5, hypogynous. Stamens 

 5, monadelphous below. Pod 8-10-seeded, with twice as many 

 cells as there are styles. 



LINUM L. 



Herbs or small shrubs, with tough, fibrous bark. Leaves 

 sessile. Flowers in corymbs or panicles. Sepals 5, entire. 

 Petals 5, distinct or united below, falling in a few hours after 

 expanding. 



1. L. usitatissimum L. Common Flax. Stem erect, witli corymbed 

 branches at the top. Leaves narrowly lanceolate. Flowers handsome, 

 large, blue. Cultivated for the fiber. From Europe ; introduced here 

 to some extent. 



2. L. virginianum L. Wild Flax. Stem rather slender, erect 

 and cylindrical; branches cyUndrical. Leaves small, varying from 

 ol)long to lanceolate or spatulate, the lower often opposite. Flowers 

 small, yellow. Capsules flattened at right angles to the pedicels. Dry 

 woods and pastures. 



