Aisea. K
Harakeke
The Harakeke plant is a herbaceous plant, which means its growth form is soft, but also not woody. The robust, sword-like leaves are arranged in two joined sets around the growing part (rito) to form a fan.
A unique feature of the harakeke and other related plants is that the lower third or so of each leaf is folded together along its midrib or keel. This creates a stiff, heavy bottom.
You can make crafts out of the harakeke like:
Hats
Bags
Cloaks
Mats
Clothing
Plates
Bird snares
Ropes
Lashing
Flax also had many medical uses. The sticky sap or gum that flax produces was applied to boils and wounds and used for toothache. Flax leaves were used in binding broken bones and matted leaves were used as dressings. Flax root juice was routinely applied to wounds as a disinfectant.
Harakeke is also known as the New Zealand flax; its scientific name is Phormium Tenax. Which is an evergreen perennial plant native to New Zealand and Norfolk Island that is an important fibre plant and a popular ornamental plant.
Rules for the Harakeke
DO’S:
Say a karakia (Prayer) before harvesting to focus your mind; to give thanks to the plant, and to bless all those who will come into contact with the woven object
Wash your hands before beginning weaving
Try and complete your current project before starting another.
Harvest your harakeke during the day when the blades are dry (not at night or in the rain or forest).
DON’TS:
Don’t cut leaves when korari (flower stalks)are growing
Don’t harvest harakeke when you are unwell (illness interferes with tapu)
Don’t step over cut flax or items being woven-go around
QUICK FACTS
Flax is unique to New Zealand and is one of our most ancient plant species.
Flax bushes will often support a large community of animals, providing shelter and an abundant food resource.
Tui, bellbirds/ korimako, saddlebacks/tīeke, short tailed bats/pekapeka, geckos and several types of insects enjoy nectar from the flax flower.
Flax snails, a rare land snail living only in the Far North, often shelter under flax bushes. These snails don’t eat any part of the flax, but rather they munch on fallen leaves from native broadleaved trees.
Harakeke was the name given to this plant by Māori.
The first European traders called it ‘flax’ because its fibres were similar to that of true flax found in other parts of the world.
Although we still call it flax today, harakeke is really a lily.
