New Zealand’s 2 flax species are both quite common throughout the country. Here are tips on telling apart the 2 flax species and characteristics of each.
Flax is one of the iconic plants of the New Zealand landscape. It may not be as showy as a flowering pohutukawa around Christmas or as majestic as a giant kauri tree, but it is truly New Zealand. Harakeke was and is one of the most essential and revered plants in all of the country, especially for Maori. It grows from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island and on many offshore islands. People have used it for many purposes from basket weaving, clothing, and even for treating a variety of ailments.
New Zealand’s 2 Flax Species
Flax has numerous beneficial uses. Check out this other blog post to read 7 facts about flax. This plant has innumerable uses both for people and for native wildlife. The nectar of the flowers are a favourite of nectar feeders, such as tui and bellbirds. Native lizards, such as the gold stripe gecko, also live inside the tall leaves of flax.
Mountain Flax or Wharariki (Phormium cookianum)
Mountain flax is the less common of the two species and also coincidentally the smaller of the two. This species generally grows only up to 1.5 meters tall.
Despite its name, mountain flax can be found from the coast up to alpine areas throughout the entire country.
This species of flax does grow to varying sizes and locations, but there are two characteristics about it that make it readily identifiable. First, when it flowers the three outer segments of the flowers are always yellow to reddish-brown while the three inner segments are green or greenish-yellow. So, look for a yellowish outer flower in the flax and you know you are looking at mountain flax.
Another way to distinguish mountain flax is by the seed pods that form after it flowers in the spring or early summer depending on location (November to January). The seed pods tend to hang downwards as opposed to standing erect. Not only do the seed pods hang down, but they are also slightly spiralled or twisted. In contrast, the seed pods of harakeke tend to stand upright and are not twisted or spiralled at all.
The flowers on flax grow on a tall stalk or stem that shoots up from the plant. On mountain flax the stalk is shorter than on common flax, growing from 1 – 2 meters tall.
Common Flax or Harakeke (Phormium tenax)
Harakeke is the more common of the two species and also tends to be much larger. It can grow up to 3 meters tall, nearly twice as tall as the mountain flax. It also grows throughout the entire country.
The flowers on harakeke do vary, but in general are reddish or reddish-brown in colour. This is in contrast to the smaller yellowish flowers on the mountain flax.
The flower stalk or stem that the flowers grow on can be extremely tall on common flax, growing from 1.5 meters up to a towering 4.5 meters high!
Then after flowering the seed pods, which grow 5-10 cm tall and are dark brown or black when mature, form on the plant. In contrast to the mountain flax, the seed pods tend to stand upright.