Family: Linaceae/ Flax
Ecology/ Botany:
This perennial grows in dry climatic regions, usually in dry to moist forest openings of Interior Douglas Fir forest zones.
Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses:
The commercial variety is used to make linen fibre and linseed oil. The Nlaka’pamux (Thompson) people have used a decoction of this wild variety to make a hair rinse. Other Indigenous North American nations also used this plant to make a wash for hair and eyes. The mature seeds are edible and high in Omega 3 fatty acids.
References/Other useful Links:
Parish, Coupe, Lloyd. 1996. Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia. B. C. Ministry of Forests and Lone Pine Publishing.