Irish wildflowers BSBI map

New Zealand Flax, Phormium tenax, Líon na Nua-Shéalainne
Photographs: Toomore, Co. Cork

New Zealand Flax
Phormium tenax
Líon na Nua-Shéalainne
Family: Lilaceae

Flowering: July-August. Perennial. Introduced.

The long-stemmed panicles of brownish/red and yellow flowers with protruding stamens are followed by large dark-brown seed capsules. Large fans of very tough, leathery, sword-shaped leaves with a central fold. Height to 4m when flowering.

An occasional garden escape or discard, mainly in coastal areas

New Zealand Flax, Phormium tenax, Líon na Nua-Shéalainne

New Zealand Flax, Phormium tenax, Líon na Nua-Shéalainne
New Zealand Flax, Phormium tenax, Líon na Nua-Shéalainne

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