e-Key <span id="jodit_selection_marker_1703147301962_949751663620249" data-jodit_selection_marker="start" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>v3 - Lin<span id="jodit_selection_marker_1703147301962_6512654392525712" data-jodit_selection_marker="end" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>aceae
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

DICOTYLEDON - ROSIDAE - LINALES - Linaceae

Compiled by C.L. Bredenkamp

Description:

  • Herbs or undershrubs, rarely shrublets or small trees
  • Leaves alternate or opposite, rarely whorled, simple, entire; stipules gland-like or interpetiolar or 0
  • Flowers regular, bisexual, in panicles or cymes
  • Calyx 4- or 5-partite or sepals free, imbricate, persistent
  • Petals as many as sepals, contorted, free, tapering to base, often clawed, with claw naked or crested, short-lived
  • Stamens 5 or 5 + 5, alternating with petals, sometimes with alternating staminodes; filaments connate at base; anthers 2-thecous, opening inwards
  • Ovary superior, 3-5-locular, with 2 axile ovules in each locule; styles 3-5, free, rarely somewhat connate; stigmas subcapitate
  • Fruit a globose, septicidal capsule, or drupe, incompletely 5-10-locular with 1 seed per locule
  • Seeds compressed

Nomenclature:

  • Linaceae
    • Sonder: 308 (1860)
    • Robson: 91 (1963)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global: Genera 15, species ± 300, fairly cosmopolitan
  • Southern Africa: Genera 2, species 15

References:

  • ROBSON, N.K.B. 1963. Linaceae. Flora zambesiaca 2
  • SONDER, W. 1860. Lineae DC. Flora capensis 1

Resources:

  • Linaceae genera:
Hugonia Linum