Practical
Plants

Linum usitatissimum

Flax

an annual member of the Linum genus in the family Linaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Linaceae
Genus
Linum
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.7 m
Spread
0.2 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed of some strains contain cyanogenic glycosides in the seed though the toxicity is low, especially if the seed is eaten slowly. It becomes more toxic if water is drunk at the same time[27][16]. The cyanogenic glycosides are also present in other parts of the plant and have caused poisoning to livestock[18].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - raw or cooked[25]. The seed contains 30 - 40% oil, which comprises mainly linoleic and linolenic acids[17]. The seed also contains cyanogenic glycosides (prussic acid). In small quantities these glycosides stimulate respiration and improve digestion, but in excess can cause respiratory failure and death[17]. Cultivars low in these glycosides have been developed and large quantities of the seed would need to be eaten to achieve a harmful dose. The seed is used in breads and cereals, it can also be sprouted and used in salads[9]. The seed is hard to digest and provokes flatulence[21]. A nutritional analysis is available[15]. The roasted seed is said to be a coffee substitute[9]. A herbal tea can be brewed from the seed[9]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[9][20], though it needs to be properly refined before it can be eaten. Some caution is advised in the use of the seeds for food since some varieties of this plant contain toxins.

Product or use
Coffee
Product or use
Oil
Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Linseed has a long history of medicinal use, its main effects being as a laxative and expectorant that soothes irritated tissues, controls coughing and relieves pain[17]. The seed, or the oil from the seed are normally used[17]. The seed is analgesic, demulcent, emollient, laxative, pectoral and resolvent[21][29][14][22][5][15][18]. The crushed seed makes a very useful poultice in the treatment of ulceration, abscesses and deep-seated inflammations[21][19]. An infusion of the seed contains a good deal of mucilage and is a valuable domestic remedy for coughs, colds and inflammation of the urinary organs[21]. If the seed is bruised and then eaten straight away, it will swell considerably in the digestive tract and stimulate peristalsis[29] and so is used in the treatment of chronic constipation[17]. The oil in the seed contains 4% L-glutamic acid, which is used to treat mental deficiencies in adults[15]. It also has soothing and lubricating properties, and is used in medicines to soothe tonsillitis, sore throats, coughs, colds, constipation, gravel and stones[21][19]. When mixed with an equal quantity of lime water it is used to treat burns and scalds[19]. The bark and the leaves are used in the treatment of gonorrhoea[18]. The flowers are cardiotonic and nervine[18]. The plant has a long history of folk use in the treatment of cancer[15]. It has been found to contain various anticancer agents[15].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Emollient
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Resolvent
Product or use
VD

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A fibre is obtained from the stem[24][26][3][23][28]. It is of very high quality and is used in making cloth, sails, nets, paper, insulating material etc.The best quality flax fibre is used for making cloth. It is soft, lustrous and flexible, although not so flexible or elastic as cotton or wool[20].. It is stronger than cotton, rayon or wool, but weaker than ramie[20]. Lower quality fibre is used in manufacturing of towelling, matting, rugs, twines, canvas, bags, and for quality papers such as printing currency notes[20]. The plant is harvested just after it flowers[1]. The yield is 0.5 to 0.9 tonnes of fibre per hectare. When used for paper making, the stems are harvested in late summer or autumn when they are two thirds yellow and are then retted[10]. The fibre is then stripped from the stem, cooked for two hours or more with lye and then beaten in a Hollander beater[10]. The lower quality flax straw from seed flax varieties is used in the manufacture of upholstery tow, insulating material, rugs, twine, and paper. Some of the better quality straw is used in the manufacture of cigarette and other high-grade papers[20]. The seed contains 38 - 40% of a drying oil[4]. It has a very wide range of applications. The paint and varnish industries consume about 80% of all the linseed oil produced. The remainder is used in items such as furniture polish, enamels, linoleum, oilcloth, printer's inks, soap making and patent leather[22][23][6][19][20]. It is also used as a wood preservative and as a waterproofing for raincoats, slickers, and tarpaulins[20]. The oil is also used in a spray on concrete roads to prevent ice and snow from sticking - it has the additional benefit of helping to preserve the concrete and prevent surface cracking and wear[20]. Yields of over 4 tonnes of seed per hectare have been recorded in N. America, but yields of 2 tonnes or less are more common[20]. A mucilage from the soaked or boiled seeds is used as a size for linen warps[6].

Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Gum
Product or use
Oil
Product or use
Size
Product or use
Biomass
Product or use
Insulation

Environment

Range
Possibly native to Europe. A rare casual in Britain, the original habitat is obscure.
Habitat
Not known in the wild.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow early to late spring in situ. Do not transplant the seedlings[17].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a light well-drained moderately fertile humus-rich soil in a sunny sheltered position[12]. Plants grow best in a well-drained, loamy soil, those overlying a clay subsoil produce the best results[20]. They prefer a pH in the range of 5 - 7[20]. Very light highly fertile soils are not desirable as they produce tall rank growth tending to lodge[20]. Plants are more sensitive to salt than most field crops[20]. Prefers a cool moist climate during the growing season, dry weather making the plants short and woody[25][20]. A very greedy plant, depleting the soil[21][2] and requiring a rich, well prepared soil if it is to do well[2]. Plants help to break up organic matter and prepare the soil for following crops[13]. Cultivars selected for seed production succeed under a fairly wide range of conditions, but those selected for fibre production require abundant moisture and cool weather during the growing season, and warm dry weather during harvesting, especially where water-retting is practiced[20]. The crop requires 15 - 20cm of rainfall if spread evenly over growing season, with 2.5 cm falling just before or after planting[20]. The plant needs a relatively long ripening period between flowering and harvesting. Warm, dry weather is desirable at the heading stage to cause plants to branch and produce seed; after vegetative growth, dry weather is required for curing the seed[20]. Linseed has a very long history of cultivation in temperate climates with evidence to show that it was being grown in Egypt over 5,000 years ago[20]. It fell into almost complete disuse in Britain in the 20th century as artificial fibres were increasingly used, but it is once again coming into prominence both as a fibre and as an oilseed crop(1995)[K]. Linseed is grown for its edible seed, the oil from the seed and for the fibres obtained from the stems[22]. There are many named varieties, though these usually fall within with two classes. One class, generally known as flax, does not branch much and is grown mainly for the fibre in its stem, whilst the other class, known as linseed, branches much more freely and is grown mainly for its seed. Although classified as a species, linseed is possibly an ancient cultigen derived in cultivation from L. bienne[7][17]. Flax crops take 3 - 4 months to reach maturity, though autumn or early spring sown crops can take 6 - 7 months[20]. Lolium specis (Rye grasses) and Phleum species (Timothy grass) have allelopathic effects on Linum, reducing its carbohydrate synthesis[20]. Linseed is a good companion plant for potatoes and carrots but is inhibited by Camelina sativa[8][11].

References

  1. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

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  2. ? Encyclopaedia Britannica. 15th edition.

    ↩1↩2

  3. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩

  4. Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading 1986-00-00 ISBN 0704909820

    ↩

  5. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

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  6. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩1↩2

  7. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  8. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩

  9. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Bell. L. A. Plant Fibres for Papermaking. Liliaceae Press 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  11. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

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  12. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  13. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

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  14. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  15. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  16. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

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  17. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  18. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  19. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  20. Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12↩13↩14↩15↩16↩17↩18↩19↩20

  21. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  22. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  23. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩1↩2

  24. Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-00-635555-2

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  25. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  26. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

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  27. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

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  28. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

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  29. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2

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