Linum usitatissimum
Linum usitatissimum
Linum usitatissimum (pronunciation: /ˈlaɪnəm ˌjuːsɪtəˈtɪsɪməm/), commonly known as flax or common flax, is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. It is a food and fiber crop that is grown in cooler regions of the world. The textiles made from flax are known as linen, and traditionally used for bed sheets, underclothes, and table linen.
Etymology
The name Linum usitatissimum is derived from the Latin usitatissimum, meaning "most useful". The genus name Linum is derived from the Greek word linon, which was used to refer to flax or linen thread.
Description
Linum usitatissimum is an annual plant that grows up to 1.2 m tall, with slender stems. The leaves are glaucous green, slender lanceolate, 20–40 mm long, and 3 mm broad. The flowers are pure pale blue, 15–20 mm diameter, with five petals. The fruit is a round, dry capsule 5–9 mm diameter, containing several glossy brown seeds shaped like an apple pip, 4–7 mm long.
Uses
The plant is cultivated for its seeds, which are rich in linseed oil, a product used as a nutritional supplement and as an ingredient in many wood-finishing products. Flax is also grown for its strong fiber, which is used in the production of linen. It is an eco-friendly alternative to cotton and synthetic fibers.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Linum usitatissimum
- Wikipedia's article - Linum usitatissimum
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski