Mountain Flax

The term 'flax' for the genus Phormium, although firmly established, is yet another inappropriate common name as Phormium and the true linen flax (Linum) have in common only the possession of useful fibres. Mountain flax is Phormium cookianum and its tufts of narrow, leathery leaves may be conspicuous in poorly drained places in tussock herbfield and shrubland. The flowers in its quite tall heads vary in colour, from plant to plant, from yellow to dark reddish purple.