Linum catharticum. purging Flax. 
UNUM Lin. Gen. FI. Pentakdeia Pentagynia Cal. 6 phylliis. Prf 5. Caps 5. valvis, 10 locu- 
laris. Sem. folltaria. 
Rail Syn. Gen. 34. Herb.® Pentapetal.® Vasculifer®. 
LINUM catharticum foliis oppofitis, ovato-lanceolatis, caule dichotomo, corollis acutis. L,n. Syjl. Ke- 
getab. p. 350. Sp. plant, p. 401. FI. Suecic. p. 100. 
LINUM fbHls conjugatis, ovatis, calycibus ariftatis, patulis, lanceolatis. Haller Hijl. ft. 839. 
LINUM catharticum. Scopoli. FI. Cam. n. 389. 
LINUM pratenfe flofculis exiguis. Bauhin. pin. 214- 
LINUM fylveftre catharticum. Ger. emac. j6o. Pariinfin. 1336. Ran Syn. p. 363. purging or wild 
Dwarf-Flax or Mill-mountaiii. 
Lightfoot FI. Scot. p. 174. 
Hudfon. FI. Angl. ed. z.- p. 134* 
RADIX annua, fibrofa. 
CAULI 3 palmaris aut dodrantalis, eredus, teres, laevis, 
fuperne ramofus. 
FOLIA oppofita, elliptica, fuberefta, Isevla, integer- 
rima, glaiica, in fummis ramis alterna, 
lanceolata. 
FLORES albi, ante anthefin penduli. 
CALYX: Perianthium pentaphyllum, perfiftens, 
foliolis lanceolatis, ereftis, carinatis./^, i. 
COROLLA pentapetala, petalis Calyce duplo longi- 
oribus, patentibus, ovatis, acutis, prope bafin 
leviter cohaerentibus, trinervibus, unguibus 
flavis, ^g. 2. 
STAMINA t Filamenta quinque aequalia, fubulata, 
bafi latiora, fubcoalefcentia ; Anther® fub- 
rotundae, flavte. fg. 3. 
PISTILLUM: Germen fubovatum, angulatum,; 
Styli quinque, longitudine flaminum; 
Stigmata rotunda, flava, fg. 4. 5. 
PERICARPIUM: Capsula globofa, angulata, de- | 
cemlocularis, quinquevalvis, Calyce tefla. | 
fg. 6. l 
SEMINA folitaria, ovata, planiufcula, flava, nitida. | 
fg- 7 - ? 
$ ROOT annual, and fibrous. 
? 
: STALK from three to nine inches high, upright, 
: round, fmooth, branched at top. 
■ LEAVES oppofite, elliptical, nearly upright, fmooth, 
perfe<iHy entire, glaucous, on the tops of 
; the branches alternate, and lanceolate. 
; FLOWERS white, before they blow pendulous. 
:: CALYX: a Perianthium of five leaves and perma- 
' nent, the leaves lanceolate, and upright, 
with a prominent midrib. i. 
;; COROLLA compofed of five petals, which are twice 
; the length of the Calyx, fpreading, oval and 
pointed, (lightly uniting at the bafe, having 
three ribs and yellow claws. Jig. 2. 
'■ STAMINA : five Filaments of equal length, ta- 
* pering, broadeft and (lightly uniting at 
bottom; Anther® roundilh and yellow. 
fs- 3 > 
PISTILLUM : Germen angular ; Styles five, the 
length of the Stamina; Stigmata round- 
ifh, and yellow. Jig. 4. 5. 
SEED-VESSEL: a round, angular Capsule, with 
ten cavities and five valves cover’d with 
the Calyx. Jig. 6 . 
SEEDS fingle, oval, flattifh, yellow and (hlning. 
fg' 7 ' 
THIS fmall and delicate fpecies of Flax Is a very common plant throughout the kingdom on hilly 
Ctuations particularly where the foil is chalky, it alfo fometimes found in Meadows. 
It flowers in June, July and Auguft. 
An infufion in water or whey of a handfull of the frefh leaves, or a dram of them in fubftance when 
dried, are faid to purge without inconvenience. Lewis Dijp. p. 168, 
