У fiber flax The following stages of growth, or phases of development, are distinguished: shoots, herringbone, budding, flowering and ripening. In the seedling and “Christmas tree” phase it grows very slowly. The most rapid growth in height and increase in fiber occurs in flax after the “herringbone” phase, closer to budding and continues until flowering. The flowers are blue, but there are flax varieties with white, purple and pink petals.
Fiber is obtained from flax stems, and oil is obtained from flax seeds. Various fabrics are produced from flax fiber - from tarpaulin to cambric, widely used in technology and everyday life. Flax seeds contain 30-47% fatty, quickly drying oil, which is of great technical importance. Drying oil, varnishes, and oil paints (including for painting) are prepared from it; it is used for the production of linoleum, oilcloth, artificial leather, and soap. The flaxseed cake remaining after pressing the oil serves as valuable feed for dairy cattle. Flaxseed oil and the seeds themselves are also used in medicine.