Flax Flax Flax ("Linum usitatissimum"), also known as common flax or linseed, is a member of the genus "Linum" in the family Linaceae. It is a food and fiber crop cultivated in cooler regions of the world. The textiles made from flax are known in the Western countries as linen, and traditionally used for bed sheets, underclothes, and table linen. The oil is known as linseed oil. In addition to referring to the plant itself, the word "flax" may refer to the unspun fibers of the flax plant. The plant species is known only as a cultivated plant, and appears to
Apocynum cannabinum ("Hemaris diffinis") and hummingbird clearwing ("Hemaris thysbe") moths. These moths are pollinators that resemble small hummingbirds. The plant can be used for various purposes. The most used parts are the seeds, the root, and the bark. A very strong and good quality fiber obtained from the bark is a flax substitute that does not shrink and retains its strength in water. It is used for making clothes, twine and cordage, bags, linen, paper, and more. When harvested for fiber, dogbane is often left standing as late as mid-winter so that rain and snow will perform retting. The plant yields a