Alsi, Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) Description of Plant Kushta (Saussurea lappa) is an herb of strong, perennial 3-4 feet tall shrub and its outer surface appear yellowish brown – grayish brown having rough longitudinal furrows, fine netted wrinkles, and root branches. It has thick cylindrical roots 5-20 cm long, 1-6 cm in diameter, some with slight curve that sometimes split longitudinally and have purple colored flowers. The texture is hard and difficult to snap off. Sometimes presented with peeled outer bark