Flax

Description:

Native to New Zealand and off shore islands (including Norfolk Island in Australian territory). Grows into a large clump of sword like dark green leaves up to 1.5 - 3 meters long that in older plants will 'flop' over at about half their length. The plant puts up a flower spike that can get to 4 meters high, with numerous red brown flowers with long stamen coated in bright orange pollen. Large upright seed pods develop turning black before splitting and dropping seed. This plant is Agavaceae family so is a lily.

Habitat:

Common throughout lowland New Zealand up into higher country. Tends to like a more moist environment along waterways and swamps but also found along quite dry coastal areas. Is extremely tough once established and resistant to frosts and high winds. However does suffer from a bacterium spread by Flax Planthoppers that cause dieback.

Notes:

A very important plant both for weaving and as a food source for local honeyeater birds. Images here show flowers with pollen, a younger plant with flower spikes, developed seed pods and the last shows a Tui (native honeyeater) feeding on the flowers. The orange patch on its head is pollen from other flowers. The leaves are very fiberous and used weaving and the Latin name means "tough basket".