Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is generally regarded as a dualpurpose
crop plant due to its main products, the fiber and seed.
Since many year ago, the fiber has been converted to yarn, which
served as a major source to manufacture textiles for table or bed
coverings and clothing, whereas seeds have been pressed to extract
edible oil. Marginally, shives and straw, mainly from linseed flax,
were also used to seal and thermally insulate homes.
Probably originating from Middle East, flax plant was subsequently
introduced to several other world regions including
Europe. Disruptive selection through thousands of years of flax
domestication has resulted in its diversification into oilseed and
fibrous plant types. Both types differ substantially in phenotype
and physiology. Linseed flax grows up to 40–60 cm tall with highly
branched stem, while fibrous plant grows up to 80–120 cm and is
less branched.