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Flax
Linum usitatissimum
γ’γ
An annual cultivated since antiquity, globally important as the source of linen fiber and linseed oil. It bears blue-purple 5-petaled ephemeral flowers in early summer that open in the morning and fall by midday. Cultivated in Japan as a medicinal and oil crop.
Identification Points
- βSky-blue to pale blue-purple 5-petaled ephemeral flowers, opening in the morning and falling by midday
- βNarrow linear alternate leaves on slender flexible stems
- βHigh-quality linen fiber obtained from the stem bark
Habitat
Cultivated (fields); rarely escaped
Season
MayβJuly (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Linear
Habitat
Cultivated
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf margin
Entire
Petal count
Many
Petal fusion
Fused
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Stamen count
5
Phylogenetic Positionγ’γη§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Malpighiales > Linaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (about 60β50 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Linaceae belongs to Malpighiales, characterized by regular pentamerous flower structure (5 petals, 5 sepals, 5 stamens).
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification