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Columbia Encyclopedia entry: flax

Flax, common name for members of the Linaceae, a family of annual herbs, especially members of the genus Linum, and for the fiber obtained from such plants. The flax of commerce (several varieties of L. usitatissimum) has been cultivated since prehistoric times (see linen). It was the major source of cloth fiber until the growth of the cotton industry (c.1800) and the competitive use of other fibers, such as jute. Flax has been transplanted from its native locales in Eurasia to all temperate zones of the world that provide a suitable habitat (a cool, damp climate) for its cultivation as a fiber plant; it is also grown in many tropical countries for its oil-bearing seeds. Flax plants grow to 4 ft (120 cm) in height and bear blue or white flowers that mature into bolls containing 10 seeds each. When grown for fiber, flax is sown densely to prevent branching and is gathered before maturity; for seed, it is sown sparsely and allowed to branch and fruit. To obtain the fiber, the stems, stripped of leaves, may be tied in bunches and immersed in warm water for a few days or in cool water for one or two weeks, or they may be spread out on grass and exposed to the dew and sun for several weeks. This process, called retting, permits bacteria to break down the woody tissues by fermentation and to dissolve by enzyme action the substances binding the fiber cells. After retting, the stems are washed and allowed to dry and then are scutched (beaten) to separate the fibers from other material and to crush the pith. A combing process (called hackling) removes any remaining nonfibrous matter. The fiber cells range in length from 1/2 to 2 in. (1.3–5.1 cm); the cell bundles (fibers) range from 12 to 36 in. (30–90 cm). Short, broken fibers are called tow and are used to make coarse fabrics and cordage; the long fibers are used for strong threads and fine linens. Flax fiber has also been used for such products as insulating material and writing and cigarette paper. The seeds are crushed to make linseed oil, and the remaining linseed cake is used for fodder; dried flaxseed has been used in various medicinal preparations. Flax is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Linales.

Wikipedia search results for: Flax

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Flax is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. It is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent. This is called as Agasi/Akshi in Kannada, Jawas/Javas or Alashi in Marathi. Flax was extensively cultivated in ancient Egypt. Dyed flax fibers have been found in the Republic of Georgia in a prehistoric cave that date to 34,000 BC. New Zealand flax is not related to flax, but was named after it as both plants are used to produce fibers. Flax is an erect annual plant growing to tall, with slender stems. The leaves are glaucous green, slender...more »

Columbia Encyclopedia search results: flax

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Johnstone
Johnstone, town (1991 pop. 42,731), Renfrewshire, W Scotland. Industries include flax and cotton mills in addition to engineering works. Chemicals, machine tools, and shoelaces are also manufa...
Arbroath
Arbroath or Aberbrothock, town (1991 pop. 23,934), Angus, E central Scotland, on the North Sea at the mouth of the Brothock River. A seaport, it is known for its smoked haddock, shipbuilding, ...
Elis
Elis, region of ancient Greece, in W Peloponnesus, W of Arcadia. It was divided into three parts—Elis proper, Pisatis, and Triphylia. A plain watered by the Alpheus and the Peneus rivers, Elis...
linen
Linen, fabric or yarn made from the fiber of flax, probably the first vegetable fiber known to people. Linens more than 3,500 years old have been recovered from Egyptian tombs. Phoenician trad...
Guadix
Guadix, town (1990 pop. 20,975), Granada prov., S Spain, in Andalusia. It is the center of a farm area growing olives, flax, wheat, and hemp. Guadix was a Roman colony and, under the Visigoths...
Kíthira
Kíthira or Cythera, island (1991 pop. 3,021), c.109 sq mi (282 sq km), S Greece, in the Mediterranean Sea, southernmost of the Ionian Islands, off the S Peloponnesus. Mostly rocky with many st...
Montrose
Montrose, town (1991 pop. 12,127), Angus, NE Scotland, on the North Sea at the mouth of the South Esk River. Open to water on three sides, it is a spacious resort town, with flax and jute mill...
Pärnu
Pärnu, Ger. Pernau, Rus. Pyarnu, city (1994 pop. 51,963), SW Estonia, on the Gulf of Riga. A seaport, it exports timber and flax and is also a beach and health resort. It was founded c.1250 by...
Gouda
Gouda, city (1994 pop. 69,917), South Holland prov., W Netherlands, at the confluence of the Gouwe and Hollandsche IJssel rivers. Gouda is famous for its cheese. Other products include smoking...
Kovel
Kovel, Pol. Kowel, city (1989 pop. 67,000), NW Ukraine, on the Tura River. A rail junction and agriculture center, it has food and peat processing plants, railroad shops, and sewing, flax, and...

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