# Phormium > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Phormium > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Phormium.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phormium > Source revision: 1354873225 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Genus of flowering plants}} {{About|the genus|the fiber made from these plants|Flax in New Zealand}} {{Italic title}} {{Automatic taxobox | name = New Zealand flax | image = Phormium tenax Piha02.jpg | image_caption = ''Phormium tenax'' in bloom in [Piha](/source/Piha), [West Auckland](/source/West_Auckland%2C_New_Zealand), New Zealand | taxon = Phormium | authority = [J.R. Forst.](/source/Johann_Reinhold_Forster) & [G. Forst.](/source/Georg_Forster) | type_species = ''[Phormium tenax](/source/Phormium_tenax)'' | type_species_authority = | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = *''[Phormium colensoi](/source/Phormium_colensoi)'' *''[Phormium tenax](/source/Phormium_tenax)'' }} '''''Phormium''''' is a [genus](/source/genus) of two plant [species](/source/species) in the family [Asphodelaceae](/source/Asphodelaceae). One species is endemic to New Zealand and the other is native to New Zealand and [Norfolk Island](/source/Norfolk_Island).{{cite book|author1=Moore, L.B. |author2=Edgar, E. |title=Flora of New Zealand. Vol. II. Indigenous Tracheophyta: Monocotyledones except Gramineae|year=1970|location=Wellington, N. Z.}} The two species are widely known in New Zealand as '''flax''' or their [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_language) names [''wharariki''](/source/Phormium_colensoi) and [''harakeke''](/source/Phormium_tenax) respectively'','' and elsewhere as '''New Zealand flax''' or '''flax lily''', but they are not closely related to the Northern Hemisphere's [flax](/source/flax) (''Linum usitatissimum''), which is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and has been used by humans since 30,000 B.C.{{cite journal | last1 = Balter | first1 = M | year = 2009 | title = Clothes make the (Hu) Man | journal = Science | volume = 325 | issue = 5946| page = 1329 | doi = 10.1126/science.325_1329a | pmid = 19745126 }}{{cite journal | last1 = Kvavadze | first1 = E | last2 = Bar-Yosef | first2 = O | last3 = Belfer-Cohen | first3 = A | last4 = Boaretto | first4 = E | last5 = Jakeli | first5 = N | last6 = Matskevich | first6 = Z | last7 = Meshveliani | first7 = T | year = 2009 | title = 30,000-Year-Old Wild Flax Fibers | url = http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:4270521| journal = Science | volume = 325 | issue = 5946| page = 1359 | doi = 10.1126/science.1175404 | pmid = 19745144 | bibcode = 2009Sci...325.1359K | s2cid = 206520793 | url-access = subscription }} [http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/data/325/5946/1359/DC1/1 Supporting Online Material] ==Taxonomy== Monocot classification has undergone significant revision in the past decade, and recent classification systems (including the [Angiosperm Phylogeny Group](/source/Angiosperm_Phylogeny_Group)) have found ''Phormium'' to be closely related to daylilies (''[Hemerocallis](/source/Hemerocallis)''), placing it in [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) [Asphodelaceae](/source/Asphodelaceae), subfamily [Hemerocallidoideae](/source/Hemerocallidoideae). ''Phormium'' formerly belonged to the [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) [Agavaceae](/source/Agavaceae) and many classification systems still place it there. It includes two species and many [cultivars](/source/Flax_in_New_Zealand). ===Species=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Flower!! Plant !! Name !! Distribution |- |120px ||120px ||''[Phormium colensoi](/source/Phormium_colensoi)'' {{small|Hook.f.}} || New Zealand (South Island, North Island) |- |120px ||120px ||''[Phormium tenax](/source/Phormium_tenax)'' {{small|J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.}} || New Zealand and Norfolk Island. |- |} The genus was originally established by the German [naturalist](/source/naturalist)s [Johann Reinhold Forster](/source/Johann_Reinhold_Forster) and his son [Georg Forster](/source/Georg_Forster) in 1775 from specimens of ''[Phormium tenax](/source/Phormium_tenax)'' collected by both Forsters and the Swedish naturalist [Anders Erikson Sparrman](/source/Anders_Erikson_Sparrman). All of them were part of the [second expedition](/source/Second_voyage_of_James_Cook) of Captain [James Cook](/source/James_Cook) aboard the ''Resolution'' (1772–1775).{{cite journal|author=Peter Coyne|year=2009|title=''Phormium tenax'' (New Zealand Flax)— Norfolk Island native?|journal=Cunninghamia|volume=11|issue=2|pages=167–170|url=http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/103116/Cun112167Coy.pdf}} The [type specimen](/source/type_specimen)s were taken from [Queen Charlotte Sound](/source/Queen_Charlotte_Sound_(New_Zealand)), with additional specimens from both [Norfolk Island](/source/Norfolk_Island) and [North Island](/source/North_Island), New Zealand.{{cite journal|author=Kevin Mills|year=2009|title=Was ''Phormium tenax'' introduced to Norfolk Island by the Polynesians?|journal=Cunninghamia|volume=11|issue=2|pages=171–175|url=http://rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/103117/Cun112171Mil.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311165859/http://rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/103117/Cun112171Mil.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-03-11}} The name ''Phormium'' comes from [Ancient Greek](/source/Ancient_Greek) for a "basket", while ''tenax'' is a Latin adjective meaning "holding fast, tenacious".Cassell's Latin Dictionary, Marchant, J.R.V, & Charles, Joseph F., (Eds.), Revised Edition, 1928 ==Description and ecology== [[File:Phormiumtenaxflowertui.jpg|right|thumb|180px|''Phormium tenax'' flowers have the same curvature as the beak of the nectar-eating [tūī](/source/t%C5%AB%C4%AB) seen in the photograph.]] [[File:Phormium tenax MHNT.BOT.2015.2.23.jpg|thumb|''Phormium tenax'' - [MHNT](/source/MHNT)]] ''Phormium'' is an [herbaceous](/source/herbaceous_plant) [perennial](/source/perennial_plant) [monocot](/source/monocot). The tough, sword-shaped [leaves](/source/Leaf) grow up to {{convert|3|m|0}} long and up to {{convert|125|mm|0}} wide. They are usually darkish green but sometimes have coloured edges and central ribs. Cultivated varieties range from light green through pink to deep russet bronze. There are numerous variegated [cultivar](/source/cultivar)s with leaves marked by contrasting stripes in shades of green, red, bronze, pink and yellow. The rigid flower stalks can be up to {{convert|5|m|0}} long, projecting high above the foliage. In November (in New Zealand) they produce clumps of curving tube-like [flower](/source/flower)s which turn bright red when mature. These produce unusually large quantities of [nectar](/source/nectar) to attract all nectar-feeding birds such as the [tūī](/source/t%C5%AB%C4%AB) and insects. The seedpods that develop after [pollination](/source/pollination), each contain hundreds of seeds which are later widely dispersed by the wind. ==Distribution and habitat== ''Phormium tenax'' occurs naturally in New Zealand and [Norfolk Island](/source/Norfolk_Island), while ''P. colensoi'' is endemic to New Zealand. Both species have been widely distributed to temperate regions of the world as economic fibre and ornamental plants.''Extraction, content, strength, and extension of Phormium variety fibres prepared for traditional Maori weaving'', New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2000, Vol. 38: pg. 469. They are found mainly in [swamp](/source/swamp)s or low-lying areas but will grow in a variety of habitats.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/publications/Harakeke-Report06.pdf|title=Integrating NZ flax into land management systems|last=McGruddy|first=Elizabeth|date=July 2006|website=www.nzpcn.org.nz|access-date=18 May 2019|archive-date=21 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021110318/http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/publications/Harakeke-Report06.pdf|url-status=dead}} ==Cultivation== The two species readily interbreed and there is part considerable regional variation in ''[Phormium colensoi](/source/Phormium_colensoi)''.{{cite journal|doi=10.1080/0028825X.1979.10426888 | volume=17 | issue=2 | title=Variation inPhormium cookianum(Agavaceae) | journal=New Zealand Journal of Botany | pages=189–196| year=1979 | last1=Wardle | first1=P. | doi-access=free | bibcode=1979NZJB...17..189W }} Where the two species co-occur, there is local [introgression](/source/introgression).{{cite journal|doi=10.1080/00288250809509767 | volume=46 | issue=3 | title=Genetic and morphological evidence for localised interspecific gene flow inPhormium(Hemerocallidaceae) | journal=New Zealand Journal of Botany | pages=287–297| year=2008 | last1=Smissen | first1=R. D. | last2=Heenan | first2=P. B. | last3=Houliston | first3=G. J. | s2cid=205448164 | doi-access=free | bibcode=2008NZJB...46..287S }} In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of ''Phormium'' cultivars commercially available. The 2005–2006 edition of the [Royal Horticultural Society](/source/Royal_Horticultural_Society) ''Plant Finder'' listed 75 cultivars. As early as the 1920s it was recognised that [ploidy](/source/ploidy) plays a role in some cultivars due to the work of [John Stuart Yeates](/source/John_Stuart_Yeates).{{cite web |url= http://www.paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19291221.2.108&srpos=1& |title=Papers Past — Evening Post — 21 December 1929 — FLAX RESEARCH |work=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz |year=2011 |access-date=24 October 2011}} The highly regarded [sport](/source/sport_(botany)) ''Ngaro''paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19291221.2.108 was isolated from the Moutoa swamp, [Foxton](/source/Foxton%2C_New_Zealand).{{cite web|title=Maori dictionary - ''ngaro''|url=http://www.maoridictionary.co.nz/index.cfm?wordID=13751|access-date=26 May 2013}} The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's [Award of Garden Merit](/source/Award_of_Garden_Merit) for growing in UK gardens:{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 78 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | access-date = 25 April 2018}} {{div col |colwidth=27em}} *''Phormium colensoi'' subsp. ''hookeri'' 'Cream Delight'{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Phormium colensoi'' subsp. ''hookeri'' 'Cream Delight'|url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=5800|access-date=26 May 2013}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} *''Phormium colensoi'' subsp. ''hookeri'' 'Tricolor'{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Phormium colensoi subsp. hookeri'' 'Tricolor'|url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3812|access-date=26 May 2013}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} *''Phormium'' 'Duet'{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Phormium'' 'Duet'|url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3813|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224051443/http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3813|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 24, 2012|access-date=26 May 2013}} *''Phormium'' 'Sundowner'{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Phormium'' 'Sundowner'|url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1437|access-date=26 May 2013}}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }} *''Phormium tenax'' 'Variegatum'{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Phormium tenax'' 'Variegatum'|url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3814|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224054011/http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3814|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 24, 2012|access-date=26 May 2013}} *''Phormium'' 'Yellow Wave'{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Phormium'' 'Yellow Wave'|url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1440|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224210514/http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1440|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 24, 2012|access-date=26 May 2013}} {{div col end}} {{clear}} ==Uses== {{Main|Flax in New Zealand}} ''Phormium'' produces long leaf fibres that have played an important role in the culture, history and economy of New Zealand. Both species have been widely distributed to temperate regions of the world as economic fibre and ornamental plants. ==See also== * [List of plants known as lily](/source/List_of_plants_known_as_lily) ==References== {{Commons}} {{Wikispecies}} {{Reflist}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q1639799}} {{Authority control}} Category:Asphodelaceae genera Category:Hemerocallidoideae Category:Flora of New Zealand --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Phormium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phormium) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phormium?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.