New Zealand Flax, Harakeke
Phormium tenax
Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae
What it is like
A shrub which keeps growing from year to year. It grows to 1.8-3.7 m tall and 1.2-1.8 m wide. The leaves are stiff and sword like and in a clump. They are grey-green. They have a leathery texture. The flower stems are woody and purple. They rise well above the leaves. They can be 3-3.5 m long. They flowers are dull red inside brackets. These are 5 cm long. The fruit are black, curved seed pods.
There are 2 Phormium species. They are both from New Zealand. Also put in the family Hemerocallidaceae.
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate plant. It can tolerate light frosts. It grows in swampy places. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. Tasmania Herbarium. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Kyneton Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Falklands, Hawaii, India, Mediterranean, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Pacific, Slovenia, South America, St Helena, Tasmania, USA
How it is used for food
The pieces are cooked for 3 hours or in a pressure cooker for 1 hour. The liquid is then strained and a spoonful taken three times each day for arthritis. The sweet nectar can be sucked out of the flowers. The gum from the base of the leaves is edible. The juice from the waste after fibre extraction can be used to make alcohol. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer.
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Flowers, nectar
How it is grown
It is grown from seed or by division.
It is quick growing. It will grow in most soils. The plant is dug up and 15-17 cm of the fleshy base is washed, cut into 3 cm pieces.
Its other names
Local names
Formio, Novozelandski lan