DSC_4805 Swamp flax, or harakeke (Phormium tenax) atypical orange flowers against leaves. It is possible that these flowers reflect a degree of natural hybridisation with the mountain flax (Phormium cookianum), which flowers nearby. Certainly the common flax's typically red flowers can be much 'fatter' and less strongly curved. Ruapehu *
DSC_4805 Swamp flax, or harakeke (Phormium tenax) typical red flowers against leaves. Ruapehu *
DSC_5431 Chatham Island flax, or harakeke (Phormium aff. tenax) typical chocolate-red flowers against short broad leaves. This island form differs from the NZ flax in having more robust, thick straight flower spikes, low leaf fibre and a distinctive yellow and red edge on younger leaves. Owenga, Chatham Islands *
