Linseed

Linseed

Scientific name: Linum usitatissimum L.

Bangla/Local Name: ‘Tisi’, ‘Masina’

Taxonomic Position According to Cronquist

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Euphorbiales
Family: Linaceae
Genus: Linnum
Species: usitatissimum

Botanical Description of Linseed

Habit: Annual herb

Stem: Erect, glabrous, 60-120 cm height, branches ascending towards the apex.

Leaf: Alternate, simple, narrow, linear-lanceolate, exstipulate

Inflorescence: Scorpiod cyme

Flower: Regular, hermaphrodite, hypoynous

Calyx: Sepal 5, persistent, aestivation quincuncial

Corolla: Petal 5, polypetalous,

Androecium: Stamen 10 arranged in two whorls

Gynoecium: Carpel 5, syncarpous, ovary superior

Fruit: Capsule

Seed: Flat, shining

Chromosome number: 2n= 30

Economic Importance

Seeds produce edible oil, which has some medicinal values, the oilcake is used as cattle feed. Fiber is also produced from the stem, used for cloth, ropes etc.