New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts
Ethnobotanical study of growth of Phormium varieties used
for traditional Maori weaving
Warwick Harris
Landcare Research
P.O. Box 69
Lincoln, New Zealand
Present address: Lincoln Botanical, 16 Aylmers Valley Road, Akaroa,
New Zealand.
Suzanne M. Scheele
Landcare Research
P.O. Box 69
Lincoln, New Zealand
Catherine E. Brown*
Te Roopu Raranga/Whatu o Aotearoa
Toi Maori
P.O. Box 9570
Wellington, New Zealand
J. Richard Sedcole
Applied Management and Computing Division
P.O. Box 84
Lincoln University, New Zealand
*Deceased August 2004
Abstract Twelve Maori weaving varieties of Phormium
were grown at 11 widely separated sites in New Zealand in an
experiment involving participation of weavers, teachers, and students.
Leaf dieback and leaf appearance during establishment and growth of
leaf length and blade width, shoot production, and expansion of plant
basal circumference over 4–7 years were recorded. Observations were
made on factors, particularly cold, that caused plant damage. Data were
analysed to test for site × variety interaction. The sites
provided environments ranging from those at Ohakune and Kaiapoi which
were lethal for some varieties to that at Auckland which was near
optimal for growth. Generally, growth reduction during the cool period
of each year was proportionally greater at sites that overall had the
best conditions for growth. Variety growth responses and their
susceptibility to cold damage differed and interacted significantly
with site conditions. The results are related to varieties in the
National New Zealand Flax Collection in respect to their origins and
history of use. Recommendations are made for cultivation practices that
enhance the production of leaves used for traditional Maori weaving.
Keywords Phormium tenax; P. cookianum;
New Zealand flax; harakeke; Maori weaving varieties; leaf growth; shoot
production; cold damage; variety × environment interaction
B03036; Received 12 September 2003; accepted 28 September 2004;
Online publication date 17 March 2005
New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2005, Vol. 43: 83–118
0028–825X/05/4301–0083 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2005
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