The natural textile fiber that comes from the flax plant is linen.
Linen is made from the bast fibers found in the stem of common flax, Linum usitatissimum. After harvesting, the plant is processed to separate the fibers, which are spun into yarn and woven or knitted into fabric.
Linen is valued for its strength, absorbency, and ability to dry relatively quickly, making it comfortable in hot weather. Its limited elasticity gives it a characteristic tendency to wrinkle, while also helping produce a crisp texture that distinguishes it from cotton.
Flax-based textiles have an exceptionally long history. Dyed flax fibers found in Dzudzuana Cave in present-day Georgia suggest textile use roughly 30,000 years ago. Ancient Egyptians used linen for clothing, burial shrouds, and mummy wrappings. “Linen” properly refers to flax fabric, although modern marketing sometimes uses the word loosely for fabrics made with a linen-like weave.