1. Linum, Linn.

Herbs, rarely shrubby at the base. Leaves usually alternate, narrow, quite entire; stipules generally wanting. Flowers in panicled or racemose or fascicled cymes. Sepals 5, entire. Petals 5, contorted in æstivation, fugacious. Stamens 5, alternate with the petals, hypogynous, usually connate at the base, often alternating with 5 minute staminodia. Disc of 5 glands opposite to the petals and adnate to the staminal ring. Ovary 5-celled, with 2 ovules in each cell; cells sometimes divided into 2; styles 5. Capsule 5-celled, septicidally splitting into 5 2-seeded or 10 1-seeded cocci. Seeds compressed, albumen scanty.

A genus of 80 species or more, mostly natives of temperate or subtropical climates. The single indigenous species is endemic.

(The Australian L. marginale, A. Cunn., is now plentifully naturalised in many parts of New Zealand, especially to the north of Taranaki and Hawke's Bay. It can be distinguished from L. monogynum by its smaller size, more slender habit, and small pale-blue flowers.)