Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Kauhangaroa

Cultivar No Source: Rene Orchiston 23
Source Source: Rene Orchiston Wairoa, Hawke's Bay.
Description Source: Rene Orchiston

A decorative variety which Rene has not seen growing elsewhere. Mentioned in the Flax Commissioners Reports on Hawke's Bay. Very tall, straight blades with a 3–7 mm red margin along the sides of the bronze-green blades, which shows up brightly when the sun is behind the bush. The centre of the young blades is pale green, then shaded in maroon out to the crimson margin. There is 5–7 cm of crimson on the tips of the blades. A very prolific flowerer.

Uses Source: Rene Orchiston

Mainly ornamental. Dries out to an uninteresting brown shade. Rather poor fibre. Nairn (Flax Commissioners Report 1870) says it was used only for baskets and matting, and that the fibre easily breaks with a jerk. The strong kōrari were tied into bundles and lashed together to make rafts.

Muka extraction Source: Katarina Tawiri Small amount of muka, extracts badly and keeps breaking off. Para sticks.
Raranga - unboiled Source: Katarina Tawiri Soft, thin leaved flax. Good for beginners and small articles. May be good for whāriki, as leaves are long.

Information sources:

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