Flax plant
From Floor Coverings
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How do we use the flax plant?
How long have humans been using flax seed oil?
We use Flaxseed oil (which is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids), linen for clothing and Linseed oil (a wood preservative). In Missouri, it is used as an oilseed crop. Flax for use in making cloth is mostly grown in Northern Europe and not so much in the U.S. anymore. Surprisingly, flax is about 40% oil by its weight. And around 55% of that is omega-3 fatty acids, so it is high in those valuable oils, indeed. Linseed oil dries quickly, so that's why it is suitable for use in varnishes and paints that need to dry quickly. Linseed oil use has gotten lower but it is still found in a lot of hardware stores. Oil from flax has barely been used for cooking. The seeds have been cracked or ground into flour. Flax may also be eaten as a laxative. Lignans in flax have prompted studies on its effects on cancer. Livestock can eat leftover and oil depleted flax seeds. Chickens fed flax seeds produce eggs higher in omega-3 fatty acids and they are marketed that way for the health benefits. Linen for clothing is on the upswing as people look to use more natural fibers in their daily lives.
Where is the flax plant grown?
Flax is grown on about twelve million acres worldwide. Early immigrants brought flax to America, where it is now grown mainly in Minnesota and North Dakota. In state marketing and sales cuts down on shipping costs. Buckwheat and flax are complimentary crops and can be rotation harvested to best make use of the soil. Flax was probably grown even in ancient times, such as mention of it is made in hieroglyphics and shown in drawings from that era as well. Because it can be grown in crop rotation and because of its omega-3 fatty acid properties, it is enjoying an upswing.
Biology of Flax Plant
Flax is a broad leafed plant with leaves less than one inch long. Branching off near the base of the plant, stems can grow up to three feet long. They have blue flowers. Mainly self pollinated, some cross pollination by insects does occur. Each boll on the plant contains four to ten seeds. Seeds are glossy and either brown or golden in color. If they get wet, the seeds become sticky due to a glue-like substance in the seed husk. This substance is called mucilage and there is a child's glue of the same name, used in schools and with mild adhesive properties.
What uses do we have for the flax plant today?
Probably the highest uses today in the U.S. are in linseed oil, which works wonders on hardwoods such as flooring, and in linen clothing (although that is mostly imported cloth or clothing). It is showing up, as mentioned before, as omega-3 fatty acids and is a great source of that important nutrient for vegetarians, who do not wish to consume the same thing derived from fish.
