FLAX OR LINSEED 



393 



The sepals are five in number, ovate, pointed and ciliate. 

 The polypetalous corolla is twisted when in bud and consists of 

 five blue or white delicate thin petals, which readily fall after a 

 few days ; these are connected to a hypogynous ring or disk on 

 Vhich are five glands probably representing abortive stamens 

 opposite to the petals. 



The flower possesses five stamens, and on the ovary are 

 five long styles. The ovary is five-celled, the cells being 



I 2 3 4 



Fig. 123B. — I. Flower and portion of stem of Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). 

 2. GynEecium and androecium. 3. Transverse section of ovary. 4. Ripe 

 capsule. 



divided into two by spurious dissepiments, in each of which 

 is a single ovule (Fig. 123B). 



The Fruit is a capsule (Fig. 123B), which splits longitudinally 

 when ripe and sets free the ten seeds within. 



Varieties. — The typical form of Linum tisitatissimum L., 

 grown for flax production, is an annual with an upright solitary 

 stem and capsules which remain closed when ripe : the 

 partitions in the capsules are smooth. A variety (Z. humile 



