New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

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Varietal differences and environmental effects on the characteristics of leaf strips of Phormium prepared for traditional Maori plaiting

Warwick Harris*

Suzanne M. Scheele

Guy J. Forrester

Landcare Research
PO Box 40
Lincoln 7640, New Zealand

Margaret Murray

Kahu Te Kanawa

Edna Pahewa

Te Roopu Raranga/Whatu o Aotearoa
PO Box 9570
Wellington 6141, New Zealand

*Present address: Lincoln Botanical, 16 Aylmers Valley Road, Akaroa 7520, New Zealand.
harrisw@landcareresearch.co.nz

Abstract   Strips for plaiting were separated by incisions 12.5 mm apart from leaves of 12 Maori weaving varieties of Phormium grown at 10 sites in New Zealand. Experienced weavers made visual and tactile assessments of the qualities and suitability of the strips for plaiting traditional Maori baskets and mats. Strips were identified as to their transverse position on leaf blades, and their length, weight, length of fibre (muka) exposed for braiding strips together, and width and thickness at three positions along their length measured and interrelated. Differences between varieties and strips were shown for all measured characters, and modification of characters by the environments in which the source plants were grown was examined. There was good correspondence between measured differences of strips and weavers’ assessments of their usefulness. Thickness of leaf blades and plaiting strips was a good indicator of suitability of varieties for plaiting (raranga). Results are related to teaching raranga and to the National New Zealand Flax Collection.

Keywords   plaiting; raranga; Phormium; New Zealand flax; harakeke; Maori varieties; leaf morphology; fibre; variety × environment interaction

B06030; Online publication date 27 February 2007; Received 24 July 2006; accepted 4 December 2006

New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2007, Vol. 45: 111-137
0028-825X/07/4501-0111  © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2007

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