Flax

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Annual

Native distribution

Asia

Biocultural value

Ancient Egyptians and Greeks produced linen from stem fibers. Stems are the source of fibers used to produce linen. Seeds yield flax and linseed oils and meal.

Location

Robison Herb Garden

Source of plant

Richters

Description

Erect annual to 120cm. Leaves linear to lanceolate, to 3mm wide, acute. Flowers blue, to 1.25cm diameter, in terminal, leafy, corymbose panicles; sepals ovate, acute, the inner scarious-margined; petals somewhat crenate.

USDA Hardiness Zone

4

Special characteristics

fiber, other ethnobotanical uses