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Flax
There are several annual Flaxes including, Sky blue and Scaret flax that can grow from one to three feet tall depending on the variety. They have beautiful flowers that have been described as “ a delight of gracefulness”. These grow in clumps around the boarders but also look great as edging plants in a rockery.
Flax have a very long history. They became a wild free growing plant in many countries where they were grown in cultivated fields and the seeds have spread. The Egyptian mummies were wrapped in linen partly made from the stem of the Flax. Around the time that the plants were cultivated the plants were cut and soaked in water to dissolve a gummy substance that is between the bark and stem. After it had dried the stems were crushed by rollers and beaten with broad swords. The resulting fibres were then spun into threads.
The Romans used to use the linen made from flax for their sails on their ships and for cord because of its strength but it was not the material of choice for their clothing.
Linseed oil is also made from the seeds of this plant. Even today linseed is used to make printing ink. Linseed have some well known remedies in medicine and it is also believed that if you put flaxseeds in your eyes it will help remove any foreign objects, although we do not recommend that you try this.
Landscape & Gardening
Popular Plants , Types Of Garden , Aspect of a Garden , Garden Tips
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