Perennial blue flax
Linum perenne
Family: Linaceae
What it is like
A tufted low herb. It grows 30-45 cm tall and spreads 30 cm wide. The leaves are 1-3 mm wide. The flowers are blue. The petals are 3-4 times longer than the sepals. They are 25 mm across.
There are about 200 Linum species.
Where it is found
A temperate plant. It grows in dry grassy locations. In Pakistan it grows in dry inner ranges between 2,300-4,000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Canada, China, Europe, France, Himalayas, India, Italy, Mediterranean, Moldova, North America, Pakistan, Russia, Siberia, Slovenia, Spain, Tasmania, USA
How it is used for food
The seeds are roasted and then dried and ground and eaten. They are high in oil and flavour other foods. CAUTION The seeds should not be eaten raw as they contain cyanide. This is destroyed on cooking.
Edible parts
Seeds, oil, flavouring
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Alsa, Alsi, Ineata, Trajni lan