Updated: Jun 18, 2023
Flax is one of the oldest known crops on Earth. The use of flax fiber to make linen goes back at least to ancient Egyptian times. The flax fiber is extracted from the stem of the plant and can be used for many things. In addition, the seed, oil, lignans, and flax protein all have potential health benefits and has been used for medicinal purposes throughout history and is becoming even more widely used today. The Latin name of the flaxseed is Linum usitatissimum, which means “very useful”, and is very accurate!
Flax is native to the eastern Mediterranean and India. It has slender leaves and pale blue or purple flowers. In the United States, flax was first introduced by colonists to produce fiber for clothing. Today, every part of the flaxseed plant is utilized commercially, either directly or after processing. The stem yields good quality fibers having high strength and durability. It is a natural and biodegradable composite, and is stronger than cotton. It is also used in paper products. Currently 51% of the world's flax crops are grown in the Americas, with the number one country in global trade of flax being Canada.
According to the National Library of Medicine, "Flaxseed is emerging as an important functional food ingredient because of its rich contents of α-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3 fatty acid), lignans, and fiber. Flaxseed oil, fibers and flax lignans have potential health benefits such as in reduction of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, autoimmune and neurological disorders.
The protein content of flaxseed varies from 20 to 30%. Flax protein helps in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and in supporting the immune system. Whole flaxseed, flaxseed meals and isolated proteins are also rich sources of glutamic acid/glutamine, arginine.
Flax contains up to 800 times more lignans than other plant foods. Flax lignans are phenolic compounds formed by the union of two cinnamic acid residues. Lignans are ubiquitous within the plant kingdom and are present in almost all plants. Lignans act as both antioxidants and phytoestrogens."
Flaxseed oil is the food grade name but it is also known as linseed oil when its used for other things than human consumption, like in paints and stains. Linseed oil is very nourishing to wood also, making it more resistant to wear, and it is inexpensive and natural.
New Zealand Flax
In the Southern Hemisphere there is New Zealand flax, Phorium tenex and Phorium colensoi, native to New Zealand and is very useful is similar ways, although visually quite different than the Northern Hemisphere flax.
The Māori people of New Zealand relied on it for fiber to make everything from clothes to ropes, baskets, fishing nets and more. It is very important to their culture throughout their history. It got called flax when European settlers came to New Zealand and saw it was useful for fiber like the flax at home.
New Zealand flax grows extremely well in Southern California's climate and throughout the western states where there is lots of sun. It can range from light to dark green, rusty orange to reds and even purple in it's long, pointed leaves. Besides growing easily and being drought tolerant, it is low maintenance. It has become more popular for ornamental use globally than for fiber production, now a popular landscape element. It adds a stunning look to any garden with it's upward long blade leaves, and looks different than most other plants. Sometimes it sends up a long single stalk with red or yellow tubular blooms that hummingbirds and other pollinators love.
If you would like help with your existing or new landscape project, contact us and see what our professionals can do for you! We specialize in commercial and residential landscaping and maintenance, designing hardscapes and softscapes, installing sprinkler and drip systems, and much more!
Photo by Shannon Palmer
Three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators to reproduce. It is estimated that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of animal pollinators like bees, butterflies and moths, birds and bats, and beetles and other insects.
During a flower visit, a pollinator may brush against the flower’s reproductive
parts, unknowingly depositing pollen from a different flower. The plant then uses the pollen to produce a fruit or seed. Many plants cannot reproduce without pollen carried to them by foraging pollinators so it is a vital part of agriculture.
Planting flowers in your garden can not only provide beauty, but can also be a veritable smorgasbord for pollinators as they prefer a blooming buffet of nectar rich flowers. There are many to choose from that are heat and drought tolerant, fast growing and colorful. Many bloom all year long here in Southern California!
The serenity of sitting on your porch, or peering out your window and seeing the fluttering creatures enjoying your garden cannot be underestimated. Some of the best flowering plants to attract pollinators for Southern California can be found here: http://www.sunset.com/garden/flowers-plants/plants-pollination/view-all
Choosing what flowers you plant can actually help create an ecosystem in your own yard. At Pacific Vista Landscape Services, we are experts on all types of flowers. We are dedicated to maintaining the beauty and value of your garden and are here for all your landscaping needs!
