Camelina originates from the Mediterranean to Asia. It is an annual or winter annual that reaches heights ranging from 30 to 90 cm. Seed pods are 6 to 14 cm long and resemble the bolls of flax. Camelina grows in cooler climates and does not need excessive heat during flowering and is known for its ability to grow even when surface-sowed on frozen grounds and can be successfully cultivated on marginal lands.

Yields are estimated at 1300 kg/ha with a max known figure of 1700 kg/ha. Oil content ranges from 30% upto 37% which leads to oil yields of 390 upto 627 kg/ha. Though these figures are not nearly as high as the yields for Jatropha and are comparable to those of Castor seeds, the fact that Camelina crops can easily grow on marginal lands in cooler climates, the seeding rate is very low, double cropping is possible in more tropical climates and camelina can grow with a minimum of efforts results in an attractive agronomic model. Moreover Camelina can be harvested and produced mechanically and the requirements for tillage and weed control are substantially low.

Disadvantages are that the oil from Camelina has a higher iodine value and has inferior low temperature properties compared to rapeseedoil, however when looking at the costs of production and other positive characteristics of the Camelina oil, it still is a good blending alternative to improve overall biodiesel characteristics and in itself an interesting energy crop.

Source: Putnam, D.H., J.T. Budin, L.A. Field, and W.M. Breene. 1993. Camelina: A promising low-input oilseed. p. 314-322. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.), New crops. Wiley, New York.