Camelina sativa, or false flax as it’s sometimes called, is a commonplace plant, similar to canola. Until recently, it was overlooked compared to the more popular canola, also known as rapeseed. 

At the moment, camelina is mainly used to produce cooking oil. It can also be used in feed for livestock and fish. 

Now, scientists are eager to explore camelina’s unique potential to create biodegradable plastic.

“It’s a game-changer,” Oliver Peoples, CEO of Yield10, told Modern Farmer.

“Camelina makes a polymer chain inside the seed. Instead of plastic made from plants, it’ll be made by plants,” Peoples explained. Though camelina must still be processed from its raw plant form, the procedure will be far more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Plastic from camelina will be both marine and soil biodegradable. As more people seek sustainable alternatives, this plant could be key in the effort to eliminate traditional plastic.

Plastic isn’t the only camelina-based product getting researchers excited; the University of Montana has also been researching the crop for its potential use as jet fuel.

Read about another sought-after Montana crop here.