New Zealand Flax
Take a Quick Glance...
A Closer Look...
Scientific name: Phormium tenax
Angiosperm/Gymnosperm: Angiosperm
Natural Habitat: Lowland swamps and intermittently flooded land,
North South Stewart, Chatham and Auckland Islands
Leaf Pattern: The leaves are strap-like, deep green, clump forming and fibrous.
Germination process, Seed type: 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.
How is it pollinated and spread: Seeds are either large or small with the former predominating from outcrossed and natural pollinations. The capsules formed from self pollinations were rarely retained unless overall levels of pollination were reduced greatly. Where a plant was allowed to pollinate itself, a single capsule with large seeds was formed but these seeds had little endosperm.
Species and animals that occur there: Flax also reduces suitable habitat for native bird species by altering native plant communities.Hummingbirds love to feed on these nectar-rich blossoms. Germination is uneven over 1-6 months.
Ethnobotany: Flax is used in Pacific cultures for weaving baskets and other objects.
Angiosperm/Gymnosperm: Angiosperm
Natural Habitat: Lowland swamps and intermittently flooded land,
North South Stewart, Chatham and Auckland Islands
Leaf Pattern: The leaves are strap-like, deep green, clump forming and fibrous.
Germination process, Seed type: 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.
How is it pollinated and spread: Seeds are either large or small with the former predominating from outcrossed and natural pollinations. The capsules formed from self pollinations were rarely retained unless overall levels of pollination were reduced greatly. Where a plant was allowed to pollinate itself, a single capsule with large seeds was formed but these seeds had little endosperm.
Species and animals that occur there: Flax also reduces suitable habitat for native bird species by altering native plant communities.Hummingbirds love to feed on these nectar-rich blossoms. Germination is uneven over 1-6 months.
Ethnobotany: Flax is used in Pacific cultures for weaving baskets and other objects.
Creative Writing
days upon days this poor little ant would weep, for every animal in the kingdom would brag about how glorious the sun rise is. They spoke off light breaking across the sky bringing light to darkness, and illuminating the world. After so much time of hearing so much about the beauty of the sun, his curiosity became his determination.
One night, while all the other animals slept, he set off from the ant hill for the first time. Unfortunately, the small ant was to small to see over the row of New Zealand Flax. He was not deterred. Although he knew that going around the plant could slightly give him the chance to view the sunrise he knew that the grass and the veins where going to be in his way. So he knew the only possible way to experience the sunrise was to climb the long , narrow leaves of the plant.
He began his journey up the long, thin leaves that stretched straight up toward the stars. As night gave way and day broke the night, the ant hurried to the top. He gave all he had to rush to the top of this plant for he knew everyone was going to be there. finally after a long night of walking and climbing the ant was at the top of the pointy leaf.
The appearance of the sun was more magnificent than any description. As the night and stars dimmed to the left , the suns light powerfully pierced the darkness. It electrified the sky and clouds with Purples of every hue, intense reds, and bright oranges.
The small ant looked down at the plant that was once an obstacle, he saw the plants colors. The suns light intensified the plants colors, making it seem like a rainbow of happiness. At last the ant saw the sun, and was now more enchanted with the plants radiance. This plant was so beautiful in color. it had every color the ant could ever imagine. He then rolled down the plant and felt its smoothness, it was like being for he felt like a lepardcon.
From that day on the ant would look forward to seeing the sun and contemplating the beauty of the plant that allowed him to see every morning in a new light.
One night, while all the other animals slept, he set off from the ant hill for the first time. Unfortunately, the small ant was to small to see over the row of New Zealand Flax. He was not deterred. Although he knew that going around the plant could slightly give him the chance to view the sunrise he knew that the grass and the veins where going to be in his way. So he knew the only possible way to experience the sunrise was to climb the long , narrow leaves of the plant.
He began his journey up the long, thin leaves that stretched straight up toward the stars. As night gave way and day broke the night, the ant hurried to the top. He gave all he had to rush to the top of this plant for he knew everyone was going to be there. finally after a long night of walking and climbing the ant was at the top of the pointy leaf.
The appearance of the sun was more magnificent than any description. As the night and stars dimmed to the left , the suns light powerfully pierced the darkness. It electrified the sky and clouds with Purples of every hue, intense reds, and bright oranges.
The small ant looked down at the plant that was once an obstacle, he saw the plants colors. The suns light intensified the plants colors, making it seem like a rainbow of happiness. At last the ant saw the sun, and was now more enchanted with the plants radiance. This plant was so beautiful in color. it had every color the ant could ever imagine. He then rolled down the plant and felt its smoothness, it was like being for he felt like a lepardcon.
From that day on the ant would look forward to seeing the sun and contemplating the beauty of the plant that allowed him to see every morning in a new light.
References
J.R.Forst.&G.Forst
(n.d.). Phormium tenax New Zealand Flax PFAF Plant Database.
Retrieved October 15, 2013, from
http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Phormium+tenax
Coyne, S. (n.d.). Wildlife Extra News - Strange
orange-headed birds seen in Ireland. Retrieved March 6, 2012,
from
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/new-zealand-flax.html#cr
Swallowtail Garden Seeds (2013). Phormium Seeds | Phormium
tenax | Perennial Flower Garden Seeds. Retrieved from
http://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com/perennials/phormium.html#gsc.tab=0
Reproductive biology of Phormium tenax:
A honeyeater-pollinated species John L. Craig,
Anne M. Stewart (1988)New Zealand Journal of Botany Vol. 26
IUCN SSC Invasive Species
Specialist Group (2010, August 16). issg Database: Ecology of Phormium
tenax. Retrieved from
http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=1424&fr=1&sts=&lang=EN
Swarbrick, N. (2013, June 8). New Zealand flax species –
Flax and flax working – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved from
http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/10377/new-zealand-flax-species
(n.d.). Phormium tenax New Zealand Flax PFAF Plant Database.
Retrieved October 15, 2013, from
http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Phormium+tenax
Coyne, S. (n.d.). Wildlife Extra News - Strange
orange-headed birds seen in Ireland. Retrieved March 6, 2012,
from
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/new-zealand-flax.html#cr
Swallowtail Garden Seeds (2013). Phormium Seeds | Phormium
tenax | Perennial Flower Garden Seeds. Retrieved from
http://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com/perennials/phormium.html#gsc.tab=0
Reproductive biology of Phormium tenax:
A honeyeater-pollinated species John L. Craig,
Anne M. Stewart (1988)New Zealand Journal of Botany Vol. 26
IUCN SSC Invasive Species
Specialist Group (2010, August 16). issg Database: Ecology of Phormium
tenax. Retrieved from
http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=1424&fr=1&sts=&lang=EN
Swarbrick, N. (2013, June 8). New Zealand flax species –
Flax and flax working – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved from
http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/10377/new-zealand-flax-species