The Linaceae is a family of flowering plants. The family is cosmopolitan, and includes exactly 250 species. There are 14 genera, classified into two subfamilies: Linoideae and Hugonioideae (often recognized as a distinct family, the Hugoniaceae). Leaves of Linaceae are always simple. Their arrangement varies from alternate (most species) to opposite (in "Sclerolinon" and some "Linum") or whorled (in some "Hesperolinon" and "Linum").