Flax
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223479698
2008-07-04T07:02:58Z
74.248.71.56
rm linkspam
{{otheruses}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Flax
| image = Koeh-088.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = cotton flax
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malpighiales]]
| familia = [[Linaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Linum]]''
| species = '''''L. usitatissimum'''''
| binomial = ''Linum usitatissimum''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]].
}}
'''Flax''' (also known as '''common flax''' or '''linseed''') (binomial name: '''''Linum usitatissimum''''') is a member of the genus ''[[Linum]]'' in the family [[Linaceae]]. It is native to the region extending from the eastern [[Mediterranean region|Mediterranean]] to [[India]] and was probably first domesticated in the [[Fertile Crescent]].<ref>Alister D. Muir, Neil D. Westcot, {{cite web | title="Flax: The Genus Linum" | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=j0zDO165tHcC&pg}}, page 3 ([[August 1]] [[2003]]) </ref> It was extensively cultivated in [[ancient Egypt]]. ([[New Zealand flax]] is not related to flax, but was named after it as both plants are used to produce fibres.)
Flax is an erect [[annual plant]] growing to 1.2 m tall, with slender stems. The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[glaucous]] green, slender [[lanceolate]], 20-40 mm long and 3 mm broad. The [[flower]]s are pure pale blue, 15-25 mm diameter, with five petals. The [[fruit]] is a round, dry [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] 5-9 mm diameter, containing several glossy brown [[seed]]s shaped like an [[apple]] pip, 4-7 mm long.
In addition to referring to the plant itself, "flax" may refer to the unspun fibres of the flax plant.
==Uses==
Flax is grown both for its [[seed]]s and for its fibers. Various parts of the plant have been used to make fabric, dye, paper, medicines, fishing nets and soap. It is also grown as an [[ornamental plant]] in [[garden]]s.
===Flax seed===
[[Image:Flax seeds.jpg|thumb|150px|Flax seed]]
{{nutritionalvalue | name=Flax seed | kJ=2234| protein=18.29 g | fat=42.16 g | carbs=28.88 g | fiber=27.3 g | | sugars=1.55 g | iron_mg=5.73 | calcium_mg=255 | magnesium_mg=392 | phosphorus_mg=642 | potassium_mg=813| zinc_mg=4.34 | vitC_mg=0.6 | pantothenic_mg=0.985 | vitB6_mg=0.473 | folate_ug=0 | thiamin_mg=1.644 | riboflavin_mg=0.161 | niacin_mg=3.08 | right=1 | source_usda=1 }}
Flax seeds come in two basic varieties, brown and yellow or golden, with most types having similar nutritional values and equal amounts of short-chain [[omega-3 fatty acid]]s. The exception is a type of yellow flax called [[Linola]] or solin, which has a completely different oil profile and is very low in omega-3. Although brown flax can be consumed as readily as yellow, and has been for thousands of years, it is better known as an ingredient in paints, fiber and cattle feed. Flax seeds produce a [[vegetable oil]] known as flaxseed or [[linseed oil]]; it is one of the oldest commercial oils and solvent-processed flax seed oil has been used for centuries as a [[drying oil]] in painting and varnishing.
100 grams of ground flax seed supplies about 450 kilo-calories, 41 grams of fat, 28 grams of fiber, and 20 grams of protein.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/english/index.php?p=g3&mp=nutrition | title = Flax nutrition profile | accessdate = 2008-04-24}}</ref>
One tablespoon of ground flax seeds and three tablespoons of water may serve as a replacement for one [[Egg (food)|egg]] in baking by binding the other ingredients together. Ground flax seeds can also be mixed in with [[oatmeal]], [[yogurt]], wafer (similar to [[Metamucil]]), or any other food item where a nutty flavour is appropriate. Flax seed [[sprouting|sprouts]] are edible, with a slightly spicy flavour. Excessive consumption of flax seeds can cause [[diarrhea]].<ref name = Mayo>{{cite web | url = http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flaxseed/NS_patient-flaxseed | title = Drugs and Supplements: Flaxseed and flaxseed oil (Linum usitatissimum) | accessdate = 2007-07-02 | date = 2006-05-01 | author = Mayo Clinic | authorlink = Mayo Clinic}}</ref>
Flax seeds are chemically stable while whole, and milled flaxseed can be stored at least 4 months at room temperature with minimal or no changes in taste, smell, or chemical markers of rancidity.<ref name = Malcolmson>{{cite web | url = http://www.springerlink.com/content/l544x14m66l05372/ | title = Storage stability of milled flaxseed | accessdate = 2008-04-24 | date = 2006-04 | last = Malcolmson | first = L.J.}}</ref> Ground flaxseed can go rancid at room temperature in as little as one week.<ref name = DieteticAss>{{cite journal | last = Alpers | first = Linda | coauthors = Sawyer-Morse, Mary K. | title = Eating Quality of Banana Nut Muffins and Oatmeal Cookies Made With Ground Flaxseed | journal = Journal of the American Dietetic Association | volume = 96 | issue = 8 | pages = 794-796 | date = August 1996 | year = 1996 | doi = 10.1016/S0002-8223(96)00219-2 }}</ref> Refrigeration and storage in sealed containers will keep ground flax from becoming rancid for even longer.
====Possible medical benefits====
{{main|Linseed oil}}
Flax seeds contain high levels of [[lignan]]s and [[Omega-3 fatty acid]]s. Lignans may benefit the heart, possess anti-cancer properties and studies performed on mice found reduced growth in specific types of tumours. Initial studies suggest that flaxseed taken in the diet may benefit individuals with certain types of [[breast cancer|breast]]<ref name="pmid15913884">{{cite journal |author=Chen J, Wang L, Thompson LU |title=Flaxseed and its components reduce metastasis after surgical excision of solid human breast tumor in nude mice |journal=Cancer Lett. |volume=234 |issue=2 |pages=168–75 |year=2006 |pmid=15913884 |doi=10.1016/j.canlet.2005.03.056}}</ref><ref name="pmid15897583">{{cite journal |author=Thompson LU, Chen JM, Li T, Strasser-Weippl K, Goss PE |title=Dietary flaxseed alters tumor biological markers in postmenopausal breast cancer |journal=Clin. Cancer Res. |volume=11 |issue=10 |pages=3828–35 |year=2005 |pmid=15897583 |doi=10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-04-2326}}</ref> and [[prostate cancer]]s.<ref>{{cite news | title = Flaxseed Stunts The Growth Of Prostate Tumors | url = http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070603215443.htm | accessdate = 2007-11-23 | date = 2007-06-04 | publisher = ScienceDaily }}</ref> Flax may also lessen the severity of diabetes by stabilizing blood-sugar levels.<ref>{{cite journal | last =Dahl | first =WJ | authorlink = | coauthors =Lockert EA Cammer AL Whiting SJ | title =Effects of Flax Fiber on Laxation and Glycemic Response in Healthy Volunteers | journal =Journal of Medicinal Food | volume =Vol. 8 | issue =No. 4 | pages =508–511 | publisher = | date =December 2005 | url = http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jmf.2005.8.508 | doi = 10.1089/jmf.2005.8.508 <!--Retrieved from URL by DOI bot-->| id = | accessdate = 2007-05-14}}</ref> There is some support for the use of flax seed as a [[laxative]] due to its [[dietary fiber]] content<ref name = Mayo/> though excessive consumption without liquid can result in intestinal blockage.<ref name = NCCAM>{{cite web |url = http://nccam.nih.gov/health/flaxseed/ |title = Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil |accessdate=2008-01-03 |format= |work= |publisher = National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine}}</ref> Consuming large amounts of flax seed can impair the effectiveness of certain oral medications, due to its fiber content.<ref name = NCCAM/>
Raw flax seed contains the chemical [[hydrogen cyanide]] (HCN) or [[cyanogenic glucosides]] which can be toxic if consumed in large quantities.<ref>Schilcher, H. and Wilkens-Sauter, Zietschr. Fette-Seifen-Anstrichmittel, pp. 113-117, Aug. 1986</ref>
===Flax fibers===
Flax fibers are amongst the oldest [[fiber crop]]s in the world. The use of flax for the production of [[linen]] goes back 5000 years. Pictures on tombs and temple walls at [[Thebes, Egypt|Thebes]] depict flowering flax plants. The use of flax fibre in the manufacturing of [[cloth]] in northern Europe dates back to [[Neolithic]] times. In North America, flax was introduced by the [[Puritans]]. Currently most flax produced in the USA and Canada are seed flax types for the production of linseed oil or flaxseeds for human nutrition.
Flax fiber is extracted from the [[Bast (biology)|bast]] or skin of the stem of flax plant. Flax fiber is soft, lustrous and flexible. It is stronger than [[cotton]] fiber but less elastic. The best grades are used for [[linen]] fabrics such as [[damask]]s, [[lace]] and sheeting. Coarser grades are used for the manufacturing of [[twine]] and [[rope]]. Flax fiber is also a raw material for the high-quality paper industry for the use of printed [[banknote]]s and [[rolling paper]] for [[cigarette]]s. [[Flax mill]]s for spinning flaxen [[yarn]] were invented by [[John Kendrew (inventor)|John Kendrew]] and [[Thomas Porthouse]] of [[Darlington]] in 1787.<ref>{{cite book | first = A. J. | last = Wardey | title = The Linen Trade: Ancient and Modern | year = 1967 | pages = 752 | publisher = Routledge | isbn = 071461114X }}</ref>
==Cultivation==
{{refimprove|date=September 2007}}
[[Image:developingflax.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Developing flax]]
[[Image:2005linseed.PNG|thumb|right|Linseed output in 2005]]
The major fiber flax-producing countries are [[Canada]], [[USA]] and [[China]], though there is also significant production in [[India]] and throughout [[Europe]]. In the United States, three states, [[North Dakota]], [[South Dakota]], and [[Minnesota]], raise nearly 100% of this plant.
The [[soil]]s most suitable for flax, besides the [[alluvial]] kind, are deep friable [[loam]]s, and containing a large proportion of [[organic matter]]. Heavy [[clay]]s are unsuitable, as are soils of a [[gravel]]ly or dry [[sand]]y nature. Farming flax requires few [[fertilizer]]s or [[pesticide]]s. Within six weeks of sowing, the plant will reach 10-15 cm in height, and will grow several centimeters per day under its optimal growth conditions, reaching 70-80 cm within fifteen days.
Flax is harvested for fiber production after approximately 100 days, a month after the plant flowers and two weeks after the seed capsules form. The base of the plant will begin to turn yellow; if the plant is still green the seed will not be useful, and the fiber will be underdeveloped. The fiber degrades once the plant is brown. The mature plant is pulled up with the roots (not cut), so as to maximize the fiber length. After this the flax is allowed to dry, the seeds are removed, and is then [[Retting|retted]]. Dependent upon climatic conditions, characteristics of the sown flax and fields, the flax remains in the ground between 2 weeks and 2 months for retting. As a result of alternating rain and the sun, an enzymatic action degrades the pectins which bind fibers to the straw. The farmers turn over the straw during retting to evenly rett the stalks. When the straw is retted and sufficiently dry, it is rolled up. It will then be stored by farmers before scutching to extract fibers.
Flax grown for seed is allowed to mature until the seed capsules are yellow and just starting to split; it is then harvested by [[combine harvester]] and dried to extract the seed.
===Threshing flax===
[[Image:58-aspetti di vita quotidiana,abbigliamento lino,Taccuino Sa.jpg|thumb|250px|Flax tissues, [[Tacuinum sanitatis]], 14th century.]]
Threshing is the process of removing the seeds from the rest of the plant.
The process is divided into two parts: the first part is intended for the farmer, or flax-grower, to bring the flax into a fit state for general or common purposes. This is performed by three machines: one for threshing out the seed, one for breaking and separating the straw (stem) from the fibre, and one for further separating the broken straw and matter from the fibre. In some cases the farmers thrash out the seed in their own mill and therefore, in such cases, the first machine will be unnecessary.
The second part of the process is intended for the manufacturer to bring the flax into a state for the very finest purposes, such as [[lace]], [[cambric]], [[damask]], and very fine [[linen]]. This second part is performed by the refining machine only.
The threshing process would be conducted as follows:
*Take the flax in small bundles, as it comes from the field or stack, and holding it in the left hand, put the seed end between the [[threshing machine]] and the bed or block against which the machine is to strike; then take the handle of the machine in the right hand, and move the machine backward and forward, to strike on the flax, until the seed is all threshed out.
*Take the flax in small handfuls in the left hand, spread it flat between the third and little finger, with the seed end downwards, and the root-end above, as near the hand as possible.
*Put the handful between the beater of the breaking machine, and beat it gently till the three or four inches, which have been under the operation of the machine, appear to be soft.
*Remove the flax a little higher in the hand, so as to let the soft part of the flax rest upon the little finger, and continue to beat it till all is soft, and the wood is separated from the fibre, keeping the left hand close to the block and the flax as flat upon the block as possible.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
*The other end of the flax is then to be turned, and the end which has been beaten is to be wrapped round the little finger, the root end flat, and beaten in the machine till the wood is separated, exactly in the same way as the other end was beaten.
===Diseases===
{{Main|List of flax diseases}}
==Preparation for spinning==
[[Image:Labeledstemforposter copy.jpg|thumb|200px|Flax stem cross-section, showing locations of underlying tissues. Ep = epidermis; C = cortex; BF = bast fibres; P = phloem; X = xylem; Pi = pith]]
[[Image:Rhof-flachsbearbeitung.ogg|200px|thumb|Threshing, retting and dressing flax in the [[Roscheider Hof, Open Air Museum]]]]
Before the flax fibers can be spun into linen, they must be separated from the rest of the stalk. The first step in this process is called "retting". Retting is the process of rotting away the inner stalk, leaving the outer fibres intact. At this point there is still straw, or coarse fibers, remaining. To remove these the flax is "broken", the straw is broken up into small, short bits, while the actual fiber is left unharmed, then "scutched", where the straw is scraped away from the fiber, and then pulled through "hackles", which act like combs and comb the straw out of the fiber.
===Retting flax===
There are several methods of [[retting]] flax. It can be retted in a pond, stream, field or a tank. When the retting is complete the bundles of flax feel soft and slimy, and quite a few fibres are standing out from the stalks. When wrapped around a finger the inner woody part springs away from the fibres.
Pond retting is the fastest. It consists of placing the flax in a pool of water which will not evaporate. It generally takes place in a shallow pool which will warm up dramatically in the sun; the process may take from only a couple days to a couple weeks. Pond retted flax is traditionally considered lower quality, possibly because the product can become dirty, and easily over-retts, damaging the fiber. This form of retting also produces quite an odor.
Stream retting is similar to pool retting, but the flax is submerged in bundles in a stream or river. This generally takes longer than pond retting, normally by two or three weeks, but the end product is less likely to be dirty, does not stink as much, and because the water is cooler it is less likely to be over-retted.
Both Pond and Stream retting were traditionally used less because they pollute the waters used for that process.
Field retting is laying the flax out in a large field, and allowing dew to collect on it. This process normally takes a month or more, but is generally considered to provide the highest quality flax fibers, and produces the least pollution.
Retting can also be done in a plastic trash can or any type of water tight container of [[wood]], [[concrete]], [[earthenware]] or [[plastic]]. Metal containers will not work, as an [[acid]] is produced when retting, and it would [[corrode]] the metal. If the water temperature is kept at 80 °F, the retting process under these conditions takes 4 or 5 days. If the water is any colder it takes longer. Scum will collect at the top and an odour is given off like in pond retting.Now enzymatic retting of flax is widely employed.
===Dressing the flax===
Dressing the flax is the term given to removing the straw from the fibers. It consists of three steps, breaking, scutching, and heckling. The breaking breaks up the straw, then some of the straw is scraped from the fibers in the scutching process, then the fiber is pulled through heckles to remove the last bits of straw.
The dressing is done as follows:
:'''Breaking''' The process of breaking breaks up the straw into short segments. To do it, take the bundles of flax and untie them. Next, in small handfuls, put it between the beater of the breaking machine ( a set of wooden blades which mesh together when the upper jaw is lowered- it looks like a paper cutter but instead of having a big knife it has a blunt arm), and beat it till the three or four inches that have been beaten appear to be soft. Move the flax a little higher and continue to beat it till all is soft, and the wood is separated from the fiber. When half of the flax is broken, hold the beaten end and beat the rest in the same way as the other end was beaten, till the wood is separated.
:'''Scutching''' In order to remove some of the [[straw]] from the fiber, it helps to swing a wooden scutching knife down the fibers while they hang vertically, thus scraping the edge of the knife along the fibers and pull away pieces of the stalk. Some of the fiber will also be scutched away, this cannot be helped and is a normal part of the process.
:'''Heckles''' In this process the fiber is pulled through various different sized [[Heckling comb]]. A heckle is a bed of "nails"- sharp, long-tapered, tempered, polished steel pins driven into wooden blocks at regular spacing. A good progression is from 4 pins per square inch, to 12, to 25 to 48 to 80. The first three will remove the straw, and the last two will split and polish the fibers. Some of the finer stuff that comes off in the last hackles is called "tow" and can be [[carding|carded]] like wool and [[spinning (textiles)|spun]]. It will produce a coarser yarn than the fibers pulled through the heckles because it will still have some straw in it.
==Flax as a symbolic image==
[[Image:perennial flax or linum perenne.jpg|thumb|200px|Perennial Flax flower]]
*Common flax is the national flower of [[Belarus]].
*Flax is the emblem of the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]].
*The flax plant, in a coronet, appeared on the reverse of the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[British One Pound coin|one pound coin]] to represent [[Northern Ireland]] on coins minted in 1986 and 1991.
==Flax in popular culture==
*In English, [[blond]] hair is traditionally referred to as "fair" or "flaxen". The expression "tow-head" or "toe-head," used to describe a person with blond hair, comes from the name for the fine, oft-tangled fibers left behind in the hackles, when processing flax into linen.
==See also==
* [[Irish linen]]
==Notes==
{{Commons|Linum usitatissimum}}
{{reflist}}
==References==
*[http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=LIUS USDA profile of flax]
*The 1881 ''Household Cyclopedia''
*[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/flax.html Alternative Field Crops Manual: Flax]
*[http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=81 Health Benefits of ground flax seeds from World's Healthiest Foods]
==External links==
*[http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/yf/foods/fn620-1.gif North Dakota State University ] picture comparing flaxseed oil fatty acid content with other oils.
*[http://www.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/books/bf_flax.pdf University of Arizona ] Text: Flax Culture and Preparation; Bradbury, Fred; Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, 187 pages; copyright estimated 1895-1912, file sz 11.1 MB (PDF). On-Line Digital Archive of Documents on Weaving and Related Topics.
{{fibers}}
[[Category:Biodegradable materials]]
[[Category:Fiber plants]]
[[Category:Linum]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Biologically based therapies]]
[[Category:Painting materials]]
[[Category:Underutilized crops]]
[[ar:كتان]]
[[bg:Културен лен]]
[[ca:Lli]]
[[cs:Len]]
[[da:Almindelig Hør]]
[[pdc:Flax]]
[[de:Gemeiner Lein]]
[[el:Λινάρι]]
[[es:Linum usitatissimum]]
[[eo:Kutima lino]]
[[fr:Lin cultivé]]
[[id:Flax]]
[[ia:Lino]]
[[it:Linum usitatissimum]]
[[he:פשתן]]
[[lt:Sėjamasis linas]]
[[hu:Len]]
[[nl:Vlas]]
[[ja:亜麻]]
[[no:Lin]]
[[pl:Len]]
[[pt:Linho]]
[[ru:Лён]]
[[sr:лан]]
[[fi:Pellava]]
[[sv:Lin (växt)]]
[[ta:ஆளி]]
[[tr:Keten]]