Linum medium

Herbs, usually perennial, rarely annual, 10–80 cm, glabrous. Stems erect, usually multiple from base, unbranched proximal to inflorescence. Leaves: proximal 3–20 pairs opposite, distal alternate, rarely (in northern plants) opposite nearly to inflorescence, erect to appressed; stipular glands absent; blade narrowly lanceolate to oblanceolate, 10–25 × 1.5–5.5 mm, margins entire, not ciliate, apex obtuse or apiculate. Inflorescences corymbs. Pedicels 0–5 mm. Flowers: sepals persistent, lanceolate, inner somewhat shorter, broader than outer, outer sepals 2–5 mm, margins not scarious, inner usually glandular-toothed, rarely entire, outer entire, apex acute; petals lemon yellow, obovate, 4.5–8 mm; stamens 2.5 mm; anthers 0.5–l.3 mm; staminodia absent; styles distinct, 1–3 mm; stigmas capitate. Capsules depressed-globose, 1.6–2.3 × 2–2.5 mm, apex depressed, tardily (or readily in var. medium) dehiscing into 10, 1-seeded segments, segments usually persistent on plant, false septa nearly complete, proximal margins not ciliate. Seeds 1.3–1.7 × 0.6–0.8 mm.

Distribution

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• Legacy Map

c, e North America, West Indies (Bahamas).

Discussion

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).

The corollas of Linum medium are broadly funnelform to nearly rotate, with all flower parts yellow except the brownish anthers.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Linum medium var. medium, Linum medium var. texanum

Key

1	Leaves opaque, apex obtuse; inner sepals usually sparsely glandular-toothed, sometimes entire.	Linum medium var. medium
1	Leaves ± translucent, apex minutely apiculate; inner sepals conspicuously glandular-toothed.	Linum medium var. texanum