Hairy Pink Flax / Linum pubescens / كتان أزغب

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Status: Common

Linum pubescens is a native to the east Mediterranean region. The plant is annual and blooms in the spring.It belongs to the Linaceae family. This family (The flax family), comprising about 14 genera of herbaceous plants and shrubs. The genus Linum includes flax, perhaps the most important member of the family, grown for linen fiber and linseed oil and as a garden ornamental.Stem reaches up to more 20 cm height, 1-2 erect stems per plant. Leaves are alternate, lanceolate with around 2 cm length.

Flowers are pink, petals twice as long as petals, hermaphrodite.

Flowering from February-March.

The fruits are capsule, subglobose.

Ecology: This plant grows in the Batha and phrygana habitat , it is not succulent in any part and also have no spiny parts ,it follows the Mediterranean chorotype.

Uses and medical applications: The used part is the seeds , they are used for food and medicine; for the treatment of stomach pain, kidney stones, indigestion, cough, hair loss. Ground flax powder can be spread on wounds to pull out infection. Flaxseed, also called linseed, edible seeds harvested from flax, used as a health food and as a source of linseed, or flaxseed oil. Flaxseed oil has reemerged as a possible super food because of its high dietary fiber, fatty acids content, protein, iron, calcium, manganese, thiamin, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper. Previously, it was main food for livestock feed. Linseed oil is also consumed for its health benefits and has a number of industrial applications. The seeds can be eaten raw or toasted and can be ground or added whole to salads, morning cereals, and smoothies or incorporated into baked goods.

Distributions in Palestine: Mediterranean Woodlands and Shrublands, Semi-steppe shrublands.

IUCN red list status: not evaluated

Local status: least concern