TAXONOMY 
295 
pentamerous flowers; pistil five-carpelled with a five-celled ovary 
containing two ovules in each cavity and having a single style with 
knob-like stigma. While the flower is still in bud condition or soon 
after, there commences an ingrowth of the mid-rib of each carpel 
which proceeds until when plant is in fruit there are formed 10 cavi- 
ties each enclosing a seed. Seeds, anatropous, mucilaginous, flat- 
tened, containing a large embryo and slight albumen. 
Pig. 161. — Flax. A, floral diagram — c, calyx; co, corolla; 5, stamens; p, pistil. 
B, median lengthwise sectoin of flower. C, calyx and corolla removed. D, 
fruit, external view. E, cross-section of fruit. (Robbins.) 
Official drug 
Linum 
Oleum Lini 
Part used 
Seeds 
Fixed oil 
Botanical name Habitat 
Linum usitatissimum ) 
T . ,. . i emperate regions 
Linum usitatissimum 
