Thulin, M. (1993) Linaceae in Flora of Somalia 1: 265-266
Plants herbs, shrubs, trees, or lianas. Leaves alternate or opposite, usually without stipules; blades simple. Inflorescences usually terminal or axillary cymes, rarely of solitary flowers. Sepals 4-5, imbricate, free or partly united; petals 4-5, twisted together in bud, free, often clawed; stamens usually as many as the petals; filaments united below, staminodes sometimes present; ovaries superior, 2-5 celled, the cells often subdivided; ovules 2 per cell; styles 2-5, free or bases united. Fruits capsules, drupes, or nuts; seeds with or without endosperm.
The family Linaceae includes 5-7(-17) genera and about 300 species. It is cosmopolitan in its distribution. The number of genera recognized is changing, thanks to ongoing research on the species involved. Only 1 genus, Linum is present in Somaliland and Somalia.
Plants herbs or shrubs. Leaves alternate or opposite, with or without stipules; blades entire to serrate. Inflorescences cymose or racemose flower clusters. Flowers bisexual, radially symmetric; sepals 5, free or united below; petals 5, free, imbricate or contorted, rapidly deciduous; nectary glands present or absent, opposite the petals; stamens 5-10, sometimes alternating with staminodes; filaments free or united at the base; ovaries superior, 2-5 locular, each locule often sub-divided into two by a complete or an incomplete secondary septum; placentation axile, 1-2 ovules per locule; styles 3-5. Fruits septicidal capsules or drupes; seeds 1-2 in per locule, compressed, shiny.
The family Linaceae is cosmopolitan in its distribution and has 12 genera and about 290 species. It is represented in Pakistan by 2 genera, Linum and Reinwardtia.