# common flax (*Linum usitatissimum*) Common flax is a pretty plant with blue flowers that grow in fields. It is used to make linen fabric and healthy flaxseed, which is good for you! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![common flax](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Linum_usitatissimum_001.JPG&width=800) Photo: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Linum_usitatissimum_001.JPG) ## Appearance The common flax has slender, upright stems with narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Its delicate, sky-blue flowers typically have five petals, often appearing in clusters at the top of the plant. The fruit is a small, round capsule. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Malpighiales - **Family:** Linaceae - **Genus:** Linum ## Interesting facts - Ancient Egyptians wrapped mummies in linen cloth made from flax fibers. - Flax flowers are shy; they only open for one day before they fall off! - Flax seeds can turn into amazing superfoods and even special paint! - This plant helps make linseed oil, used for art and protecting wood! ## Special abilities - **Strong Threads:** Common flax has tough, fibrous stems that can be spun into linen, providing durability and strength. - **Nutrient Powerhouse:** Common flax produces seeds packed with oils and nutrients, storing energy for growth and attracting dispersers. - **Quick Bloomer:** Common flax grows and flowers quickly, allowing it to complete its entire life cycle in just one season. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-100 cm - **Spread:** 15-30 cm - **Flower Size:** 1.5-2.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Annual - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Bees collect nectar and pollen from flax flowers. - **Pollinates:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Bumblebees are effective pollinators of flax plants. - **Eats:** Green Peach Aphid (*Myzus persicae*) — Aphids suck sap from flax stems and leaves, weakening the plant. - **Eats:** [European Goldfinch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-goldfinch) (*Carduelis carduelis*) — Goldfinches often feed on the nutritious seeds of common flax. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Fiber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fiber): This human use trait identifies species that yield natural fibers, used by humans for textiles, rope, paper, and other manufactured goods. - [Grain Crop](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grain-crop): This human use trait denotes species cultivated as grain crops, harvested for their edible dry seeds (grains), which are a staple food source. - [Agricultural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/agricultural): This human use trait describes species cultivated or domesticated by humans for agricultural purposes, including crops and livestock. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching plants, just to be safe! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify common flax? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is common flax? 30-100 cm ### How wide does common flax spread? 15-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on common flax? 1.5-2.5 cm ### When does common flax bloom? Summer ### Is common flax edible? Yes ### Is common flax toxic? None ### What is common flax's lifecycle? Annual ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Common Flax: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-flax)