Flax (Mountain) Phormium cookianum
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae
Subfamily: Hemerocallidoideae
Genus: Phormium
Species: P. cookianum
Binomial name: Phormium cookianum
Common name: Mountain flax, Wharariki
This endemic NZ flax species is smaller (H 1m x W 1m) than the common New Zealand flax Phormium tenax. It is distinguished especially by its yellow flowers and twisted seed heads.
The leaves are less than 2 metres in length while those of P. tenax range from 1 to 3 metres in length.
The scapes (leafless flowering stems that rise from the ground) are much shorter than that of P. tenax, rising up to 2 metres in height while that of P. tenax is around 5 metres in height.
The colour of the inner tepals (outer part of a flower) is green while the outer tepals are yellow to red. In contrast the tepals of P. tenax which are a dull red, with the tips of the inner tepals being less strongly recurved. The seed capsules of P. cookianum, unlike those of P. tenax are twisted and pendulous, and may be twice as long (up to 20 cm in length).
Despite its common name the New Zealand Mountain flax Phormium cookianum is found throughout New Zealand on coastal slopes to above the tree line, among scrub or grasses.
The seed capsules of the Phormium cookianum are drooping and twisted and not erect and angled as in P. tenax.The flowers are a source of nectar for the native birds, especially the tui and the bellbird.
Most of the flax cultivars are derived from Phormium cookianum.
Phormium cookianum growing on the Te Henui Walkway
Tui feeding
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