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Wetlands / NZ Flax – Harakeke

Information for Juniors

NZ FLAX – Harakeke

Phormium Tenax

  • Found growing mainly in the North Island of New Zealand in freshwater wetlands
  • It will also grow on drier sites
  • Toe toe leaves are about 3m long and 3.6cm wide, edged with fine, saw-like teeth which do not break when tugged firmly
  • Flower heads form white feathery arching plumes
  • It also has a white, waxy bloom on the leaf sheath and conspicuous veins between the midrib and the leaf margin

Common Uses

  • The Maori used the Toe toe leaves to make baskets, kites, mats, wall linings and roof thatching
  • It was also used to make containers to cook food in hot springs
  • The flower stalks were also useful as frames for kites and in Tukutuku panelling
  • The seeds were used on fresh wounds to stop bleeding
  • Other medicinal uses included the treatment of diarrhoea, kidney complaints and burns
  • Nowadays the flowers heads can be used in flower arrangements

Information for Junior Secondary

NZ FLAX – Harakeke

Phormium Tenax

  • Found growing mainly in the North Island of New Zealand in freshwater wetlands often with cabbage trees and harakeke
  • It will also grow on drier sites
  • Toe toe leaves are about 3m long and 3.6cm wide, edged with fine, saw-like teeth which do not break when tugged firmly
  • Flower heads form white feathery arching plumes
  • It also has a white, waxy bloom on the leaf sheath and conspicuous veins between the midrib and the leaf margin

Common Uses

  • The Maori used the Toe toe leaves to make baskets, kites, mats, wall linings and roof thatching
  • It was also used to make containers to cook food in hot springs
  • The flower stalks were also useful as frames for kites and in Tukutuku panelling
  • The seeds were used on fresh wounds to stop bleeding
  • Other medicinal uses included the treatment of diarrhoea, kidney complaints and burns
  • Nowadays the flowers heads can be used in flower arrangements

Information for Seniors

NZ FLAX – Harakeke

Phormium Tenax

  • Found growing mainly in the North Island of New Zealand in freshwater wetlands often with cabbage trees and harakeke
  • It will also grow on drier sites
  • Toe toe leaves are about 3m long and 3.6cm wide, edged with fine, saw-like teeth which do not break when tugged firmly
  • Flower heads form white feathery arching plumes
  • It also has a white, waxy bloom on the leaf sheath and conspicuous veins between the midrib and the leaf margin

Common Uses

  • The Maori used the Toe toe leaves to make baskets, kites, mats, wall linings and roof thatching
  • It was also used to make containers to cook food in hot springs\
  • The flower stalks were also useful as frames for kites and in Tukutuku panelling
  • The seeds were used on fresh wounds to stop bleeding
  • Other medicinal uses included the treatment of diarrhoea, kidney complaints and burns
  • Nowadays the flowers heads can be used in flower arrangements

Activities

  • TBC