Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Ruapani

Cultivar No Source: Rene Orchiston 45
Source Source: Rene Orchiston Urewera
Description Source: Rene Orchiston

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.

Uses Source: Rene Orchiston

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.

Muka extraction Source: Katarina Tawiri Muka extracts cleanly and para removes effortlessly. Great muka flax.
Raranga - unboiled Source: Katarina Tawiri Because of its ability to release fibre well, the edges fray and the whenu often split when being softened. Strong raranga flax.

Information sources:

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