The linen fiber is obtained from the stalk of the flax plant. The hair like fibers, which are held together by a gummy substance called pectin, comprise the core of the flax stalk. It, too, has a lumen and is composed of about 70 percent cellulose and 30 percent pectin, ash, woody tissue, and moisture.
Linen fiber is relatively smooth, straight, and lustrous. Linen fiber is more brittle and less flexible than cotton. It is more difficult to prepare and spin into yarn. Linen yarn can be very strong and lustrous, and is used for apparel, home furnishings, and upholstery.