Phormium tenax, J. R. & G. Forster

1. P. tenax J. R. & G. Forster , Char. Gen. Pl. 24 (1775).

Rhizome stout, short. Leaves up to 250 x 12 cm, suberect, the basal part keeled on outer and canaliculate on inner surface; midrib, margins and base often reddish. Stem, including panicle, up to 400 cm. Flowers erect; pedicels 1-4 cm. Perianth 3-5 cm; outer lobes dark brownish-red, the inner yellow, somewhat recurved at apex. Stamens exceeding perianth; filaments red. Ovary acuminate. Capsule 7-9 x 2 cm, fusiform, trigonous, often curved, dark brown. Seeds 9 x 4 mm, compressed, elliptical, black. Planted for ornament and shelter in Atlantic coastal districts, and locally naturalized. [Az Br Hb.] (New Zealand, Norfolk Island.)

P. colensoi Hooker fit, Rev. Hort. (Paris) ser. 3, 2: 6 (1848), is also locally naturalized on maritime rocks in S.W. England (Isles of Scilly). It is like 1, but with leaves not more than 150 x 7 cm, stem not more than 225 cm, outer perianth-segments yellow, and capsule 10-17 cm, twisted. It is native to New Zealand.