Both ramie and flax are traditional raw materials used in textile manufacturing in my country, but it is difficult for people who do not know them to distinguish ramie from flax. Because they are all used to be processed into fabrics, and they are all linen, it is normal that they cannot be distinguished. So today the editor will take you to briefly understand the differences between ramie and flax.
1. Leaves
In fact, it is easier to distinguish ramie and flax when they are growing, because their leaves are different. The leaves of ramie are generally round or broadly oval. The length and width of the leaves are about six to fifteen centimeters and four to eleven centimeters. The top of the leaves is pointed, but the bottom is relatively wide. The edges are tooth-like. Also, the surface of the ramie leaves is relatively rough, and it feels like there are still a small amount of hairs on them. The leaves of flax are linear or needle-shaped, generally only three to four centimeters long and four to five centimeters wide. They are relatively sharp and the leaves often become involuted. In addition, the surface of the leaves is smoother than ramie and has no hairs.
2. Flowers
When ramie and flax bloom, we can also find the difference between them. Ramie generally has panicle-shaped inflorescences. Its inflorescences are generally spread out, and the petals are also very small. The colors are usually blue, white, or purple-blue. Flax flowers generally grow individually on branches in the form of umbels. The color is basically similar to that of ramie, but you can basically tell them apart by looking at the shape of the flowers.
3. Performance
In fact, when it comes to the performance of ramie and flax, it is enough for the editor to say a few words here. In fact, in our lives, linen is more commonly used, because although linen is rough, it is still relatively soft, has good permeability, and has a sterilizing effect. However, ramie products are rougher than linen, and may cause skin scratches if not careful. This is equivalent to the coarse cloth used by poor people in the past. Also, ramie has poor air permeability and is prone to clumping and hardening after being soaked in water, while linen is much better.
4. Efficacy
The effects and functions of ramie and flax are also different. Linen is basically used in our lives to be processed into linen, and then made into various clothing, household items, and the like. The main function of ramie is not to be processed into cloth. More often, we use ramie to make paper. Secondly, in addition to these two functions, ramie can also be used for wine making, sugar refining and refining solutions. Moreover, the young stems and roots of ramie are edible and have the functions of clearing away heat, diuresis, and anti-fetus. These are not found in flax, so they are easy to distinguish.
