Linseed, Flax
Linum usitatissimum

Family: Linaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It has a single stem 70-100 cm high. It branches only in the upper part when flowering. Varieties for flax are single stemmed while varieties for linseed seed are more branched. The leaves are small and hairless. The flowers are blue or white. The petals are 13-18 mm long. The capsule is 6-9 mm wide. It contains 10 seeds. These are flat and oblong.

There are about 200 Linum species. It has anticancer properties.

Where it is found

It needs a temperate climate. It can grow in moderately fertile soils. Plants have some drought and frost resistance. It has been grown in mountains in Java. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, Chile, China, Crete, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Europe (country/location of origin), Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hawaii, Himalayas, Holland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Korea, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Prussia, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Slovenia, Somalia, South America, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA, West Africa, West Indies, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

CAUTION: Some kinds contain high levels of poisonous alkaloids. The seeds are crushed to make linseed oil. This has occasionally been used as a cooking oil. The oil is high in Omega-3. Flax seed has also been used to make tea. Roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute. The seeds are also eaten. They are used in bread and cereals and can be sprouted. They can be used as an egg substitute in muffins, cakes and scones. The leaves are also eaten as a vegetable with sour cream and lemon.

It is a cultivated food crop.

Edible parts

Seeds, pods, oil

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Plants are generally self pollinated. In Bangladesh it is grown mixed with sesamum or chickpea.

Plants take 24-27 weeks to mature.

Its other names

Local names

Agasi, Alivirai, Alsi, Atasi, Avisi, Bi-thwar, Flachs, Hnan-kyat, Javas, Kumeli, Lein, Lin, Lina, Linaza, Linho, Lino, Lino silvestre, Masina, Navadni lan, Paiksan, Seli, Tishi, Tisi, Ya ma

Synonyms

Linum crepitans (Boenn.) Dumort.; Linum humile Mill.; Linum usitatissimum subsp. transitorium Vavilov & Elladi; Linum usitatissimum var. humile (Mill.) Pers.;