Linum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Linum |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Linum pubescens | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Linaceae |
| Subfamily: | Linoideae |
| Genus: | Linum L. |
| Species | |
|
about 200, see text |
|
Linum (say: LIE-num), also known as flax, is a group of about 200 different kinds of flowering plants. These plants belong to the Linaceae family. You can find them growing naturally in many parts of the world, especially in areas with mild or warm climates.
One of the most famous plants in this group is the common flax (L. usitatissimum). This plant is super useful! Its strong bast fibres are used to make linen, which is a popular fabric for clothes and sheets. The seeds of common flax are also used to make linseed oil, which has many uses, including in paints and as a healthy food oil.
Most Linum plants have pretty blue or yellow flowers. Sometimes, you might see them with red, white, or pink flowers too. After the flowers bloom, they produce small seed pods called bolls. Each boll usually holds about 6 to 10 seeds.
Some insects, like the larvae of certain Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), enjoy eating Linum plants. For example, the cabbage moth and the nutmeg moth are known to feed on them.
Growing Flax Plants
Many types of flax are grown in gardens because they are beautiful ornamental plants. People love their colorful flowers!
Popular Garden Flaxes
- Blue-flowered flaxes: These include blue flax (L. narbonense), Lewis' blue flax (L. lewisii), and perennial blue flax (L. perenne). They add a lovely splash of blue to any garden.
- Red-flowered flaxes: The scarlet flax (L. grandiflorum) is known for its bright red flowers.
- Yellow-flowered flaxes: If you like yellow, the golden flax (L. flavum) is a great choice.
People in Eurasia have been growing Linum plants for a very long time, even since the days of the Roman Empire! They didn't just grow them for their fibers. They also used the seeds and tender leaves in cooking.
Interesting Flax Species
There are about 200 different species of Linum plants around the world. Here are a few examples:
- Linum bienne (also called L. angustifolium) – This is known as pale flax.
- Linum catharticum – Often called fairy flax.
- Linum flavum – This is the golden flax, famous for its yellow flowers.
- Linum grandiflorum – Known as scarlet flax or flowering flax, with vibrant red blooms.
- Linum lewisii – Lewis' blue flax, a beautiful blue-flowered variety.
-
Linum usitatissimum is the common cultivated flax. - Linum narbonense – Another type of blue flax.
- Linum perenne – This is the perennial blue flax, meaning it comes back year after year.
- Linum usitatissimum – This is the common cultivated flax, the one used for linen and linseed oil.
See also
In Spanish: Linum para niños
