Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Takaiapu

Cultivar No Source: Rene Orchiston 49
Source Source: Rene Orchiston Hawke's Bay.
Description Source: Rene Orchiston

Tall, rather bendy, medium green leaves

Uses Source: Rene Orchiston

Good all purpose harakeke. Good whāriki variety. May be used for piupiu although para adheres slightly. Dries very hard and strong. Medium quantity of fibre. Dries to greenish-fawn when boiled for one minute and a deeper shade unboiled. Kelly, one of the Flax Commissioners in Taranaki (1870), said its very strong fibre was used for fishing lines.

Muka extraction Source: Katarina Tawiri Only small amount of muka extracts. Rest of fibre embedded in lower layers of leaf and cannot be extracted. Para sticks. Fibre weak and keeps breaking off.
Raranga - unboiled Source: Katarina Tawiri Whenu feel strong and are of good length and even thickness. A good flax for kete, whāriki and pīkau. Whenu soften well and are pliable.

Information sources:

Source: Rene Orchiston Rene Orchiston Source: Katarina Tawiri Katarina Tawiri Source: Rob Smissen Rob Smissen Source: Sue Scheele Sue Scheele