posted January 2, 2025
Research into perennial flax by MSI PI Neil Anderson (professor, Horticultural Science; director of the U of M’s Herbaceous Ornamental Breeding Program) is featured on the website of the College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences. This plant, which is a source of seed oil and fibers, could also be a valuable food source for pollinators, as it has a long flowering season. Professor Anderson’s research team is growing and testing different varieties of perennial flax to find those that pollinators prefer as a food source and also provide the best yield for farmers. The story can be read on the college website: Reinvigorating pollinators with perennial flax.
Professor Anderson uses MSI resources for a number of projects that are developing cold-hardy varieties of flowers.