About
Contact
Links
Electronic Flora of South Australia
Electronic Flora of South Australia
Census of SA Plants, Algae & Fungi
Identification tools
 

Electronic Flora of South Australia genus Fact Sheet

Family: Linaceae
Linum

Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 277 (1753).

Derivation: Latin name for the cultivated flax.

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: None

Description:
Erect glabrous or almost glabrous herbs; leaves alternate, linear to linear-elliptic or linear-lanceolate.

Flowers blue or yellow, c. 5-20 mm across; style free or united for much of their length.

Capsules 2-5 mm broad.

Distribution:  About 230 species, widespread except in the tropics. L. usitatissimum L. is the cultivated plant from which flax and linseed are produced.

Biology: No text

Key to Species:
1. Flowers blue; styles united more than half-way; stigmas decurrent along the inner side of the style-branches; perennial
L. marginale 1.
1. Flowers yellow; styles free; stigmas capitate; annual
 
2. Inflorescence dense; leaves minutely serrulate
L. strictum 2.
2. Inflorescence lax; leaves entire
L. trigynum 3.

Author: Not yet available


Disclaimer Copyright Disclaimer Copyright Email Contact:
State Herbarium of South Australia
Government of South Australia Government of South Australia Government of South Australia Department for Environment and Water