New Zealand Flax, Phorium tenax, also known as ==Harakeke== is quite distinct from the Northern Hemisphere plant known as
Flax, Linum sp[?].
Common throughout New Zealand particularly in swampy areas, it is also much grown in gardens as a decorative plant. A member of the lily family. The tough leaves are 1-3m long, up to 125mm wide. The woody flower stalks can be up to 5m high.