FLAX FAMILY 1438 
distinet. Ovary 1, 3-angled, made up of 3-5 1-ovuled carpels ; 
style 1; stigmas 3-5. Fruit not opening. 
TROPZOLUM 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 8.A. for the very showy flowers and the sharp- 
flavored fruits, which are often pickled. 
1. T. majus L. Common Nasturtium. Climbing by the petioles 
6-8 ft. (there is also a low variety which does not climb). Leaves 
roundish 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. LINACEH. Frax 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, with 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. Wirp Frax. Stem rather slender. erect 
and cylindrical; branches cylindrical. Leaves small, varying from 
oblong to lanceolate or spatulate, the lower often opposite. Flowers 
small, yellow. Capsules flattened at right angles to the pedicels. Dry 
woods and pastures. 
