New Zealand flax (a type of Phormium) is such a common plant that you can see it in gardens, on hillsides, on verges and even acting as part of a hedge or a windbreak. It is not the same as Northern hemisphere flax or linseed, but was given this name by Europeans when they arrived in New Zealand as it, too, could be used for its fibres.
It was used in this beautiful panel of traditional Maori artwork made from kie kie (flax), leather and rimu wood and was woven by prisoners. The panel is located in the Christchurch Anglican cathedral, to which we returned today in order to look round inside.
When Captain Cook arrived the Maoris used it for: clothing, string, rope, baskets, bags, mats, fishing nets, eel traps, bird snares, sandals, buckets, cooking utensils, roofs for houses, torches, rafts, as a sweetener, and also for medicinal purposes. These included as a poultice for boils, tumours, abscesses and ulcers, as a disinfectant, to relieve constipation, rheumatic pain, scalds, burns or aching teeth and to assist in the clotting of blood. In addition, it was used as an antiseptic and mild anaesthetic. Splints were made from the stalks and bandages from the leaves. Quite a list!
As if that's not enough, since colonial times it has also used in the making of paper.
Jean
