Linum usitatissimum
L. FlaxGlabrous annual herb, mostly 30–80 cm high; stems erect, unbranched or branched near base. Leaves linear-lanceolate, 20–40 mm long, (1–)2–5 mm wide, acuminate, margins entire. Inflorescences loose terminal corymbose panicles; pedicels slender, erect, 25–40 mm long. Sepals ovate, 5–8 mm long, acuminate, margins white-membranous and ciliolate; petals obovate, 8–15 mm long, blue or white; anthers white; styles free, stigmas linear, decurrent along inner side of style-branches. Capsule 6–9 mm diam., beaked; seeds 3–5 mm long, brown. Flowers mostly spring and summer.
VVP, MuF, GipP, CVU, DunT, NIS, HNF, VAlp. Also naturalised NSW, ACT, Tas. Native to Europe and possibly Asia. Naturalized at a number of localities in Victoria, most notably near Melbourne and on the western basalt plains, formerly widely cultivated in the State, but now rather rarely grown.
Grown around the world as a source of stem-fibre for linen. The seeds are used for stock feed and as an ingredient in bread etc., and as the source for linseed oil.
Jeanes, J.A. (1999). Linaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 121–124. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
