Plant
New Zealand Flax
Phormium tenaxAlso known as Harakeke, Flax Lily, New Zealand Hemp
Thick clumps of rigid, sword-shaped leaves form the foundation of New Zealand flax, anchored by a deep rhizomatous root system. During spring and summer, towering dark stalks shoot upward, bearing curved crimson or yellow flowers dripping with sugary nectar. Native nectar-feeding birds like tūī dusting their foreheads with yellow pollen as they hop between blossoms play a vital role in its life cycle.
EvergreenCoastalPerennial
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySunlight, soil nutrients, and water
Predators
- Livestock
- Snails
- Phormium mealybugs
ThreatsLand development, wetland drainage, and invasive pests
HabitatsWetlands, coastal cliffs, riverbanks, and gardens
Life span20–50 years
Classification
- OrderAsparagales
- FamilyAsphodelaceae
- GenusPhormium
- SpeciesPhormium tenax
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Bird Watching: Scan the tall flowering stems in spring to catch native honeyeaters feeding on nectar.
- Safe Handling: Watch out for the sharp fibrous leaf margins when brushing past large clumps.
- Garden Care: Prune dead outer foliage at the base to maintain neat growth and good airflow.
Pollinator (c) Jacqui Geux, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jacqui Geux · cc-by
Pollinator (c) Possums' End, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Possums' End · cc-by
Close Relative (c) wild_wind, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by wild_wind · cc-by
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