Flax vs. Ramie — What's the Difference?

Flax, also known as common flax or linseed, is a flowering plant, Linum usitatissimum, in the family Linaceae. It is cultivated as a food and fiber crop in regions of the world with temperate climate.

Ramie (pronounced: , RAY-mee; from Malay rami) is a flowering plant in the nettle family Urticaceae, native to eastern Asia. It is a herbaceous perennial growing to 1.0–2.5 m (3 ft 3 in–8 ft 2 in) tall; the leaves are heart-shaped, 7–15 cm (2.8–5.9 in) long and 6–12 cm (2.4–4.7 in) broad, and white on the underside with dense, small hairs—this gives it a silvery appearance; unlike stinging nettles, the hairs do not sting.

A widely cultivated plant, Linum usitatissimum, having pale blue flowers, seeds that yield linseed oil, and slender stems from which a textile fiber is obtained.

A perennial herb or shrub (Boehmeria nivea) native to eastern Asia and cultivated elsewhere, having broad leaves and clusters of small greenish flowers.

The fine, light-colored textile fiber obtained from this plant.

The flaxlike fiber from the stem of this plant, used in making fabrics and cordage.

Any of various other plants of the genus Linum or of other genera in the family Linaceae.

A tall, tropical Asian perennial herb, Boehmeria nivea, cultivated for its fibrous stems.

A pale grayish yellow.

The fibre extracted from this plant known especially for its ability to hold shape, reduce wrinkling, and introduce a silky lustre used to make textiles, fishing nets, upholstery, etc.

A plant of the genus Linum, especially Linum usitatissimum, which has a single, slender stalk, about a foot and a half high, with blue flowers. Also known as linseed, especially when referring to the seeds.

The grasscloth plant (BŒhmeria nivea); also, its fiber, which is very fine and exceedingly strong; - called also China grass, and rhea. See Grass-cloth plant, under Grass.

The fibers of Linum usitatissimum, grown to make linen and related textiles.

Tall perennial herb of tropical Asia with dark green leaves; cultivated for the fiber from its woody stems that resembles flax

The flax bush, a plant of the genus Phormium, native to New Zealand, with strap-like leaves up to 3 metres long that grow in clumps.

A plant of the genus Linum, esp. the L. usitatissimum, which has a single, slender stalk, about a foot and a half high, with blue flowers. The fiber of the bark is used for making thread and cloth, called linen, cambric, lawn, lace, etc. Linseed oil is expressed from the seed.

The skin or fibrous part of the flax plant, when broken and cleaned by hatcheling or combing.

Fiber of the flax plant that is made into thread and woven into linen fabric

Plant of the genus Linum that is cultivated for its seeds and for the fibers of its stem