Part II. LINUM. 243 



LINUM CAMPANUIiATUM.— F«//(PK/ Herbaceous Flax. 



An herbaceous plant, with golden-yellow flowers in corymbs on 

 stems from twelve to eighteen inches high, distinct from any- 

 thing else in cultivation, and well worthy of a place in collec- 

 tions of alpine and herbaceous plants. A native of the South of 

 Europe, flowering in summer and flourishing freely in dry soil 

 on the warm sides of banks or rockwork, and propagated by 

 seeds. Linum flavum is said to be different from this by 

 its shorter sepals, and several minor characters ; but Messrs. 

 Grenier and Godron found these very inconstant, and differing 

 very much, in the French plant. = L. flavum., 



LINUM NAEBONNENSE. 



A BEAUTIFUL and distinct sort, bearing during the summer 

 months a profusion of large, light sky-blue flowers, with violet- 

 blue veins. A fine ornament for borders, the flower-garden, or 

 the lower flanks of rockwork, on rich light soils, forming lovely 

 masses of blue from fifteen to twenty inches high. A native of 

 Southern Europe, distinguished from its relatives by its sepals 

 tapering to a long point, its anthers being three times as long as 

 broad, its long thread-like stigmas, and its large flowers. 



LINXJM V'ESMSi'S^.— Perennial Flax. 



A PLANT found in some parts of Britain, particularly in the 

 Eastern counties, but very rare. Usually grows in dense tufts 

 from twelve to eighteen inches high, with bright cobalt-blue 

 flowers more than an inch in diameter, the stamens in some 

 being longer than the styles, in others shorter, the petals over- 

 lapping each other at the edges. Mr. Syme considers it probable 

 that L. alpinum and L. Leonii are forms that may be included 

 under L.perenne. L. perenne album is also an ornamental plant, 

 and there is also a variety with blue flowers variegated with 

 white, known in gardens as L. Lewisii variegatum, but this 

 marking is not very conspicuous or constant. A pale-rose va- 

 riety is also announced in some of the catalogues. L. sibiri- 

 cum and L. provinciale are also included under perenne. Of 

 very easy culture in common garden soil, it is a useful border- 

 plant, and may also be used, in rough rocky places. 



