Linum

by Ahmed Shehata
(Cairo,Egypt)

Hello Jacki :).....I wanted to show you this amazing plant hoping that you help me dig up it's name?.....its amazing , it could Create excellent Contrast among other plants in a landscape Grouping...the one i saw was about 1.5 m high...also i noticed some tiny small blue flowers...maybe its related maybe not........

.......thank you Jacki as usual i'm thankful for you participation :)

Drought Smart Plants reply: If those little blue flowers are part of the plant you're looking at, I think I know what this is; it's some type of flax, or Linum - as you may be able to guess from the name, this is the origin of the textile linen, and also where Linoleum the floor covering comes from.

Its seeds are precious for linseed oil, which is used for everything from an oil rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, and a valuable additive to animal feed, as a beneficial supplement for human health, and also the seeds themselves are used in baked goods.

The wiry stems are broken down and then spun to create an incredibly strong fiber known as flax, which is woven into beautiful fabric called linen, well known as the wrapping for mummies.

And, as if that wasn't enough, it also is a beautiful airy textured landscaping plant.

It's also drought tolerant, and self seeds, in a non-invasive way.

Jacki