New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

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Biological flora of New Zealand 10. Phormium tenax, harakeke, New Zealand flax

Priscilla M. Wehi

Bruce D. Clarkson

Department of Biological Sciences
University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105
Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
pwehi@waikato.ac.nz

Abstract We review the biosystematics, chemistry, phenology, ecology, and cultural and economic uses of Phormium tenax, a widespread iconic New Zealand monocotyledon. Phormium tenax is endemic to New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and the Chatham Islands, and is distinguished from the sole other member of the genus, P. cookianum, by its erect trigonous seed capsules and red flowers, despite incomplete barriers to hybridisation. Flowers produce abundant nectar and are bird pollinated. Seed is orthodox and tolerates drying, while chilling overcomes dormancy. Rich, well-drained alluvial and organic soils encourage abundant growth in P. tenax but prolonged flooding and drought reduce growth and survival. Lack of tolerance to both frost and low mean annual temperatures distinguish its environmental niche from that of P. cookianum, but further research is required to characterise these differences more accurately. Phormium tenax is a significant component of vegetation on coastal cliffs, slopes, and dunelands; in estuarine shrublands; and lake margin and freshwater communities. Wide morphological variation in Phormium has led to cultivar development by Maori for weaving and by horticulturalists for ornamental garden use. Phormium tenax is important in many ecological communities as a food source, and is often used in restoration and revegetation plantings.

Keywords biological flora; fibre; flax; freshwater wetlands; harakeke; Hemerocallidaceae; Maori; New Zealand; Phormium; weaving

B07002; Online publication date 30 October 2007; Received 21 February 2007; accepted 13 August 2007

New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2007, Vol. 45: 521–544
0028–825X/07/4504–0521 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2007

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