Parekoritawa
Cultivar No | 22 | |
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Source | Waiomatatini, East Coast. Also sent from Taranaki to Botanic Gardens, Wellington in 1870. | |
Description | One of few traditional cultivars of variegated harakeke. The whole bush has a yellow appearance, with the bright green leaves striped with a bright sulphur yellow. Short, straight, strong, pointed blades. Orange margin and keel ("like karakaî, Andersen 1907). Few kōrari, with light flower heads. |
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Uses | Kelly, in the Flax Commissioners Report 1870, described it as a beautiful plant and it was, and is, valued as ornamental. It is a parent of many modern coloured hybrids. Also produces high quality, shiny, but rather brittle fibre. |
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Muka extraction | Muka extracts effortlessly and para removes with finger nails. Fibre is silky and white. | |
Raranga - unboiled | Whenu hard to soften because of high fibre content. In general lovely and pliable raranga flax. |
Information sources:
Rene Orchiston | Katarina Tawiri | Rob Smissen | Sue Scheele |