Crops Flax and Linseed (Linum usitatissimum)

Further Information



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Common Name	FLAX and LINSEED
Latin binomial	Linum usitatissimum
Plant family	Linaceae
Names in other languages	lin (F), lein, flachs (D), linaza, lino (E)

Flax stem fibres

Linseed

Both flax and linseed are specialised developments of a single species, which originates from the Mediterranean and Southwest Asian regions: there is archaeological evidence for its use before 6000 BC, and it was amongst the earliest cultivated plants in Europe. Linseed crops are grown for the seed oil, which is used as a machine oil and in the manufacture of paints, varnishes and linoleum, the residue after crushing being valued as a feed for livestock. Production is now supported under the CAP and the area grown in the EU has increased, notably in the United Kingdom. Flax plants are grown for the stem fibre, used in the preparation of high-quality products in the paper and textile industries: its culture declined considerably following the wide distribution of cotton products and synthetic fabrics, but some is still grown in Northern Europe (especially France) for traditional markets.

This entry forms part of the publication Crops for Industry and Energy in Europe

References:

Anon (1996a) Developments in Oilseeds: NIAB Sparsholt Conference. Proceedings of a meeting on 8th February 1996 at Sparsholt College, Winchester, Hampshire. Cambridge: NIAB.

Carruthers, S P Miller, F A & Vaughan, C M A (Eds) (1994) Crops for Industry and Energy. Report No 15. Reading: Centre for Agricultural Strategy

Chisholm, C J (Ed) (1994) Towards a UK Research Strategy for Alternative Crops. Silsoe: Silsoe Research Institute.

Kirby, R H (1963) Vegetable Fibres: botany Cultivation and Utilisation. London: Leonard Hill.

Langer, R H M & Hill, G D (1991) Agricultural Plants (2nd Edn) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Robellen, G, Downey, K R & Ashri, A (Eds) (1989) Oil Crops of the World: their Breeding and Utilisation. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Salunkhe, D K, Chaven, J K, Adsule, R N & Kadam, S S (1992) World Oilseeds: Chemistry Technology and Utilisation. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Sauer, J D (1994) Historical Geography of Crop Plants: a Select Roster. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

Zohary, D & Hopf M (1988) Domestication of Plants in the Old World. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

Industrial Crops and Products. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science B V

Relevant EC funded projects:
AIR-0367
FAIR-0195