New Zealand flax
| New Zealand flax | ||||||||||||
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New Zealand flax ( Phormium tenax ) |
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| Phormium tenax | ||||||||||||
| JR Forest. & G.Forst. |
The New Zealand flax ( Phormium tenax , maori : Harakeke ), also known as New Zealand flax , is one of two plant species in the genus Phormium , which belongs to the subfamily of the daylily family (Hemerocallidoideae). It used to be part of the agave family (Agavaceae). Originally from New Zealand , it is a rapidly spreading neophyte in some parts of the world that was introduced into some tropical countries by humans and grown for fiber.
Plant description
Habit and leaves
The New Zealand flax is a perennial herbaceous plant that can reach heights of up to 5 meters. As survival organs, they form rhizomes . The sword-shaped, parallel-veined, stiffly upright basal leaves are 1 to 3 meters long, 50 to 125 mm wide and have a dark green color and sometimes colored tips and central ribs. There are some cultivars with beautifully colored leaves.
Inflorescence, flowers and fruits
There are many flowers in the inflorescence . The upright shaft of the inflorescence branches out and can be up to 5 (to 6) meters long.
The hermaphrodite flower is threefold. There are six uniformly shaped and colored bracts (tepals), six stamens in each flower. Three carpels have become a top permanent ovary is grown.
The three-chamber capsule fruits are smaller than 10 cm. The black seeds are 9 to 10 mm long, 4 to 5 mm wide and are spread by the wind.
ecology
In some tropical countries, this type of plant is displacing the native flora (example: St. Helena island ).
Occurrence
The natural range is New Zealand and the Norfolk Islands . The natural sites are mainly in swamps and low-lying areas. But even today they spread, for example, on hills.
They are decorative ornamental plants (especially the cultivated forms) that are often planted in tropical parks and gardens.
use
The New Zealand flax was used for fiber production. For the Māori they had the same meaning as the flax fibers obtained from the common flax for the Europeans.
There are some cultivars with very nicely colored leaves. Since they are very easy to care for and fast growing, they are popular in tropical parks and gardens.
Roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute.
Web links
- Phormium tenax. Archived from the original on June 25, 2007 ; accessed on December 28, 2015 (English, original website no longer available).
- Description of plants in the flora of New Zealand. (English)