Camelina
{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants in the cabbage family Brassicaceae}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| image = Camelina sativa eF.jpg
| image_caption = Camelina sativa
| taxon = Camelina
| authority = Crantz
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
- Camelina alyssum (Mill.) Thell.
- Camelina microcarpa Andrz. ex DC.
- Camelina rumelica Velen.
- Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz
}}
Camelina is a genus within the flowering plant family Brassicaceae. The Camelina species, commonly known as false flax, are native to Mediterranean regions of Europe and Asia. Most species of this genus have been little studied, with the exception of Camelina sativa, historically cultivated as an oil plant. Heinrich Johann Nepomuk von Crantz was the first botanist to use the genus Camelina in his classification works in 1762.
As a way to reduce fossil fuel emissions, the US Navy tested a 50-50 mix of jet aviation fuel and biofuel derived from camelina seeds in 2010.{{Cite journal |title=From Seed to Supersonic |url=http://greenfleet.dodlive.mil/files/2011/01/Win11_From_Seed_To_Supersonic.pdf |journal=Currents |publisher=US Navy |volume=Winter 2011 |access-date=2016-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219022719/http://greenfleet.dodlive.mil/files/2011/01/Win11_From_Seed_To_Supersonic.pdf |archive-date=2018-02-19 |url-status=dead}} A study published in December 2016 explained that the current low price of conventional kerosene-based jet fuel makes it cost-prohibitive for commercial airlines to use camelina-based jet fuel. The study said substantial government intervention would be one way to create a market for camelina, by combining 9 percent government subsidy on camelina crop production, with 9 percent tax on conventional fuel.{{Cite journal |title=Camelina oil could be economically feasible as source of commercial jet fuel, new OSU analysis shows |url=http://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/release/2017/02/camelina-oil-could-be-economically-feasible-source-commercial-jet-fuel-new-osu-analy |publisher=Oregon State University Extension and Agricultural Research News |date=2017-02-17}}
Etymology
The name Camelina comes from the Greek for "ground" and "flax", alluding to its being a weed which suppresses the vigour of flax crops.{{cite web |url=http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/21468 |title=FloraBase—the Western Australian Flora |first=Western Australian Herbarium, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and |last=Attractions |website=florabase.dec.wa.gov.au |access-date=2012-12-12 |archive-date=2011-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110328201031/http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/21468 |url-status=dead }}
Description
Camelina plants are annual or biennial herbs. Their leaves are simple, lanceolate to narrowly elliptic. The flowers are hermaphroditic actinomorphic, grouped in racemes, and yellowish colored. The seeds are formed in dehiscent siliques.{{cite web |url=http://www.plantes-botanique.org/genre_Camelina |title=Plantes et botanique – le genre Camelina |website=Plantes et botanique|date=27 May 2020 }}
Genetics
{{#section-h:Camelina sativa|Genetics}}
Species
Four common species are presented below. However, at least two databanks indicate more species may exist.{{cite web |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/browse/A/Brassicaceae/Camelina/ |title=Camelina – The Plant List |website=www.theplantlist.org |access-date=2012-12-12 |archive-date=2019-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610202043/http://www.theplantlist.org/browse/A/Brassicaceae/Camelina/ |url-status=dead }}
- Camelina alyssum
- Camelina microcarpa
- {{ill|Camelina rumelica|ceb||fr||species||sv|Balkandådra|uk|Рижій південний|vi||war}}{{cite book |title=Österreichische botanische Zeitschrift |publisher=Springer-Verlag. |issue=vb. 41 |year=1891 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AlQVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA123 |language=de |access-date=18 May 2021 |page=123 |quote=Die zweite interessante Crucifere ist Camelina rumelica Velen., welche ich schon im Jahre 1887 aus Bulgarien beschrieben und abgebildet habe.}}
- Camelina sativa
Biodiesel
Biodiesel made from camelina has a variety of benefits. First, traditional petroleum or diesel fuel is not renewable resources, the production of these resources is finite. Camelina biodiesel, however, is a renewable resource. Camelina-based aviation fuel could save 84% of carbon emissions.{{cite web |title=Camelina jet fuel could cut carbon emissions by 84 percent |publisher=phys.org |access-date=2020-05-19 |url=https://phys.org/news/2009-07-camelina-jet-fuel-carbon-emissions.html}} Camelina biodiesel can be produced in large quantities as feedstocks are enough. Moreover, camelina biodiesel can reduce a country's dependence on fossil resources, which can ensure a country's energy security. In addition, camelina biodiesel is an environmentally friendly fuel, and it is biodegradable.{{cite journal |last1=Quan |first1=He |title=An evaluation of biodiesel production from Camelina sativa grown in Nova Scotia. |journal=Industrial Crops & Products |date=2016 |volume=81 |pages=162–168 |doi=10.1016/j.indcrop.2015.11.073}} The greenhouse gas emission of camelina biodiesel produced by no-till farming is lower than that of traditional methods.{{cite journal |last1=Dangol |first1=Namrata |title=Life-cycle energy, GHG and cost comparison of camelina-based biodiesel and bio jet fuel |journal=Boules |pages=1–9 |doi=10.1080/17597269.2017.1369632 |year=2017 |volume=11 |issue=4 |s2cid=135275011}}