[Section 1]

What does it look like?

  • also known as common flax or linseed
  • Flax is an annual plant growing to 1.2m (3ft11in) tall, with slender stems.
  • The flowers are pure pale blue, 15–25mm diameter, with five petals; they can also be bright red.
  • Maturation: Flax is harvested for fiber production after approximately 100 days, or a month after the plant flowers and two weeks after the seed capsules form.

[Section 2]

Where does it grow?

  • It is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent.
  • Flax was extensively cultivated in ancient Ethiopia and ancient Egypt.
  • The significant linseed producing countries are Canada (~34%) and China (~25.5%), though there is also production in India (~9%), USA (~8%), Ethiopia (~3.5%) and throughout Europe.
  • Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta are Canada’s top flaxseed producers.
  • Growing areas in Canada:Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan

[Section 3]

What is it used for?

  • Flax is grown both for its seeds and for its fiber.
  • Various parts of the plant have been used to make fabric, dye, paper, medicines, fishing nets, hair gels, and soap.
  • Flax seed is the source of linseed oil, which is used as an edible oil, as a nutritional supplement and as an ingredient in many wood finishing products.
  • Flax seed sprouts are edible, with a slightly spicy flavor.
  • One hundred grams of ground flax seed supplies about 450 kilocalories, 41grams of fat, 28grams of fiber, and 20grams of protein.
  • Flax seeds contain high levels of dietary fiber, an abundance of micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Flax fibers are amongst the oldest fiber crops in the world. The use of flax for the production of linen goes back at least to ancient Egyptian times.
  • Flaxseed has a variety of uses. Flaxseed is a source of linseed oil. It is found in breads, cereals, crackers, energy bars and other foods. Flaxseed is used to make fabrics, paper, medicines and soap. In agriculture, it is used as cattle and poultry feed.
  • The fiber is soft and is stronger than cotton fiber but less elastic.
  • Flax fiber is also a raw material for the high-quality paper industry for the use of printed banknotes and rolling paper for cigarettes and tea bags.
  • Linoleum is a flooring that is manufactured by oxidizing linseed oil to form a thick mixture called linoleum cement.

[Section 4]

Pros and cons of making fuel out of flax

[Section 5]

Funky Facts and Flax Links

Funky Facts

Flax Links

Flax Council of Canada

PHOTOS

De vlasoogst (1904) ("Flax harvesting") painting by Emile Claus, Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels, Belgium

(source: wikipedia)

Flax photo catalogue: