Wharariki
Phormium cookianum

Family: Agavaceae

What it is like

Phormium cookianum Le Jol. is a synonym of Phormium colensoi Hook.f.

Phormium cookianum is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 1.2

Where it is found

Coastal cliffs to mountain slopes, locally dominant on shady faces in high country, North, South and Stewart Islands.

New Zealand. Naturalized in Britain on the Scilly Isles.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute. An edible nectar is obtained from the flowers. An edible gum is obtained from the base of the leaves.

Nectar: produced in such abundance by some flowers that it can be harvested fairly easily.

Coffee: the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.

Gum: can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

A high quality pliable fibre is obtained from the leaves. A gum found at the base of the leaves is used as a paper glue.

Adhesive: Glues.

Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Gum: Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Prefers a rich loamy soil but is not too fussy, succeeding in peaty soils and in boggy moorland. Tolerates light shade but prefers full sun. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn. Very tolerant of maritime exposure, this species is recommended for coastal plantings. Hardy to about -10°c. Polymorphic, there are many named varieties. This species often hybridizes with P. tenax and there are many cultivars of uncertain origin. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits.

Propagating it: 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. 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.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

The root is highly purgative.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. cookianum. Le Jolis. P. hookeri.