Pale flax

Pale flax (Linum bienne) is closely related to the plant that was used by the ancient Egyptians for making the cloth used to wrap mummies. It was from this plant that strains were developed that led to cultivated flax plants and commercial linen production in Europe.

Pale flax grows wild in Great Britain in grassy environments, particularly near the sea in the West Country and Wales.

The plant grows to between 12 and 24 inches (30-60 centimetres) in height. It has wiry stems, sometimes branched, that bear narrow leaves growing singly on alternate sides of the stem. The pale blue flowers appear from May to September.

Although flax is known to have been used thousands of years ago for making cloth, the use of its seeds for food-oil may go back even further. Linseed oil, derived from flax, is still used today in cattle-cake and in the manufacture of paints and varnishes, not to mention its traditional application for keeping cricket bats in good order.

© John Welford