Flax
Flax is a flowering plant in the family Linaceae which is harvested for use as food or a fiber. As fiber, it is is utilized in the creation of many textiles, linen, and cloth.
History
In the 5th century BCE, a small cult in southwester Elis dedicated to the Spartan misthios Kassandra took root in the Plains of Flax, eventually developing as a village farm called Linou. It became self-sufficient from the abundance of flax from its fields.[1]
In Renaissance times, flax merchants frequented the Mercato Vecchio, the center of business in Florence[2] In Rome, flax was collected by the Italian Assassins to sew their own sailcloths.[3][4]
During the American Revolutionary War, flax was bought and sold as a commodity in the thirteen colonies. The Kanien'kehá:ka AssassinRatonhnhaké:ton frequently used the flax fibers with other materials to create rope darts, but he also put it to use in the concoction of digestive tonics, one of many goods he used for overseas trade.[5] Within his community, the Davenport Homestead, the seamstress Ellen was responsible for weaving the fabric called linsey-Woolsey and making paper through the use of flax.[6]
Gallery
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Processed flax
