Linaceae

Abstract

Herbs, shrubs, trees, or lianas, sometimes with climbing hooks. Leaves alternate (more rarely opposite or whorled), sometimes distichous, simple, sessile or petiolate, the lamina usually involute; stipules present or reduced, sometimes dentate or incised. Inflorescences terminal or axillary thyrsoids or botryoids, exceptionally flowers solitary. Flowers perfect, actinomorphic, 5(4)-merous; sepals quincuncially imbricate, distinct or connate at the very base, sometimes persistent; petals usually contorted, often clawed, distinct or almost so, usually caducous; stamens usually twice the number of petals or antesepalous stamens and staminodia [these sometimes reduced] as many as petals, connate at base, usually with glands outside the tube; ovary superior, (2)3-5(-8)-carpellate; ovules 2 per carpel, sometimes more, anatropous, epitropous; locules sometimes divided into 2 one-seeded portions by complete or incomplete false septae; stylodia as many as carpels, usually distinct; stigma capitate to filiform. Fruit a septicidal capsule, sometimes schizocarpic or a drupe. Seeds sometimes arillate; seed coat often mucilaginous; endosperm usually scanty, sometimes copious; embryo straight or slightly curved.