New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts
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
PDF file of entire paper:
Print-quality
(1453K) |
screen-quality (561K)
This year's abstracts |
Journal home page |
All abstracts |
Publishing home page
