FLAX FAMILY 
( Linacece) 
(B) Wild Yellow Flax (Linum virginianum ) is a 
slender perennial species with a smooth stem from one 
to two feet in height. The flowers have a calyx divided 
into five sepals, a corolla of five petals, five stamens 
and pistils, perfect and symmetrical flowers fertilized 
by small bees and bee-like flies. The small leaves are 
thin and have blit one rib. This species may be found 
in dry woodland from Me. to Minn, and southward. 
(A) Common Flax (Linum usutatissimum ) (Euro¬ 
pean). This slender species is more attractive than 
the last because of its larger flowers. The stem is very 
slender, from one to two feet in height, and each of its 
few branches are terminated with one or two delicate, 
violet-blue flowers; these measure about three quarters 
of an inch broad, or slightly more. 
This is the species that is cultivated very extensively 
in Europe, and less so in this country, for its linen 
fibre and its seed oil, both of which have a very ex¬ 
tensive commercial use. 
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