Flax is mainly a source of fibers that are produced in the outer
region of its stem. The straws from fibrous flax have been studied over a long period of time. The anatomical structure of straw from
fibrous flax is well described in numerous publications; for review
see (Akin, 2003). The stem cross-section reveals the cuticle layer
on the surface of the epidermis, parenchyma cells within the epidermis
surrounding fiber bundles, which are formed by bast fibers
arranged in bundles, cambium cells and woody core cells. The ligni-
fied woody core cells constitute the fraction called shives produced
during fiber extraction from straw.