Practical
Plants

Phormium tenax

New Zealand Flax

a perennial evergreen member of the Phormium genus in the family Agavaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Agavaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
3 m
Spread
2 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute[4][8]. An edible nectar is obtained from the flowers[8]. Very wholesome eating[9]. A long hollow grass-stalk or straw is used to suck it out of the flowers[9]. An edible gum is obtained from the base of the leaves[8].

Product or use
Coffee
Product or use
Gum
Product or use
Nectar

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very high quality pliable fibre is obtained from the leaves[2][16][17][3][4]. It is used in the manufacture of ropes (they are not very strong[15]), twine, fine cloth etc. The fibre can also be used for making paper[10] The leaves are harvested in summer, they are scraped to remove the outer skin and are then soaked in water for 2 hours prior to cooking. The fibres are cooked for 24 hours with lye and then beaten in a ball mill for 4 hours. They make a cream paper[10]. The split leaves can be used to make nets, cloaks, sandals, straps etc[4]. They are also used in making paper and basket making[4][6]. A strip of a leaf is an excellent emergency string substitute for tying up plants in the garden, it can be tied into a knot without breaking[3]. The leaf pulp, after the fibre has been removed, can be fermented to make alcohol[4]. A gum found in the leaves is used as a paper glue[8]. A brown dye is obtained from the flowers[5], it does not require a mordant[6]. A terra-cotta dye is obtained from the seedpods[5]. A mauve can also be obtained[5]. The flowers are rich in tannin[5].

Product or use
Adhesive
Product or use
Ethanol
Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Gum
Product or use
Paper
Product or use
Tannin

Environment

Range
New Zealand. Naturalized in Britain in S.W. England[7].
Habitat
Lowland swamps and intermittently flooded land, North South Stewart, Chatham and Auckland Islands[14].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Sow stored seed in February in a cold frame. Germination is sometimes poor but should take place in 1 - 6 months at 15°c. The seedlings are very variable. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed remains viable for about 12 months in normal storage[1]. Division in spring as growth commences. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a rich loamy soil[1] but is not too fussy, succeeding in peaty soils and in boggy moorland[2]. Tolerates light shade[1] but prefers full sun[11]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[12]. Prefers a sheltered position[13] but tolerates maritime exposure[18]. Plants tolerate occasional flooding with saline water[11]. Plants can withstand temperatures down to about -11°c[13], but they can be killed in very severe winters in Britain[2]. A polymorphic species[19], there are many named varieties grown in Britain[2][11]. This species hybridizes readily with P. colensoi and there are many named forms that may be hybrids with that species[2]. This plant has been considered for commercial cultivation for its fibre, though there is some difficulty in mechanically extracting the fibres due to the presence of a gum in the leaves. An alkali has been successfully used to break down the gum but this weakens the fibre. The Maoris had selected many different cultivars for different uses[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[12].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Laing. and Blackwell. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd 1907-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-19-558229-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  5. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩1↩2

  7. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  8. Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  10. Bell. L. A. Plant Fibres for Papermaking. Liliaceae Press 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

  13. Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  14. Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00

    ↩

  15. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  16. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩

  17. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  18. Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00

    ↩

  19. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

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