Tall, straight, strong, medium green blades. Reddish-brown keel and margins on the older leaf and a fine orange-red on the younger rito leaves. Similar to Ruahine but taller, wider with finer fibre.

Very heavy, strong tīhore type. Most blades strip easily and cleanly into heavy fibre, although some of the para is inclined to adhere. A good piupiu harakeke óplenty of fibre, good length, dries hard and strong. When boiled, dries to a rich creamy biscuit colour. Unboiled, it has a greener tone.

The early Europeans would tear a strip from one of the long leaves for cordageóalmost impossible to break.