What is harakeke used for?
The large grass-like leaves of Harakeke, which grow to more than 3 metres in length, were used extensively by Maori for clothing, thatching and matting. They also used Harakeke as a medicinal plant to treat boils, burns, as an antiseptic for cuts and internally for diarrhoea.
Is harakeke poisonous?
The plant grows as a clump of long, straplike leaves, up to two metres long, from which arises a much taller flowering shoot, with dramatic yellow or red flowers. The blades of the plant contain cucurbitacins, which are poisonous to some animals, and some of them are among the bitterest tastes to humans.
What does harakeke look like?
Harakeke has coloured leaf margins and keel, with orange, red, brown and black being the most common. Colours can vary between young and old leaves, even within a bush.
Is flax poisonous?
Like many common foods, flax contains small amounts of cyanogenic glycoside, which is nontoxic when consumed in typical amounts, but may be toxic when consumed in large quantities as with staple foods such as cassava.
Why is harakeke important to Māori?
Symbolism – the harakeke family For Māori, the fan-shaped harakeke plant represents a whānau (family). This symbolism reflects the importance of the plant in Māori life. The rito, or inner shoot, is likened to a child and is never removed. A family must protect its offspring if it is to survive.
Can you eat harakeke?
As an added bonus, the seeds of harakeke are edible and quite sweet when in their green or white state. Simply snap the pod and squeeze the seeds out. Flowers also contain a delicious nectar, provided in abundance by the flax, a real energy boost in a survival situation.
What is flax used for?
Flax can be used in seed, ground seed and oil form and has a nutty flavor. The seed, ground or whole, is used in baking breads, cookies, scones and is used with many meat dishes. It is sprinkled on salads, in salad dressings, cereal, cottage cheese or yogurt.
How do you cut harakeke?
Harvesting harakeke They always cut on the diagonal, away from the plant’s heart and from top to bottom. This helps rainwater drain away and prevents the heart from being flooded and dying.
Where can I harvest harakeke?
How do you replant harakeke?
Take the base where the leaves meet, and place it in moist potting soil, ensuring it is well firmed around where you need the roots to grow. Place in a cool, shady spot and keep moist, it should grow roots within a couple of months, with some growing them in as little as 2-3 weeks.
Why is flax important to Maori?
Flax was the most important fibre plant to Māori in New Zealand. Clothing, mats, plates, baskets, ropes, bird snares, lashings, fishing lines and nets were all made from flax leaves. Floats or rafts were made out of bundles of dried flower stalks.
What is harakeke?
Harakeke is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive native plants. It has long, upright, often stiff leaves which can reach up to 4metres in length.
What is harakeke flax?
In early European days in New Zealand, the strong leaf fibre of the Harakeke Flax was used to produce rope and linen. Harakeke Gel is hydrating, moisturising and healing, which is why we use it extensively in our range as an alternative to petrochemically derived synthetic gels .
What did the Maori use harakeke for?
Harakeke. The large grass-like leaves of Harakeke, which grow to more than 3 metres in length, were used extensively by Maori for clothing, thatching and matting. They also used Harakeke as a medicinal plant to treat boils, burns, as an antiseptic for cuts and internally for diarrhoea. In early European days in New Zealand,…
Where can I find harakeke fibres?
Harakeke fibres are used by practitioners of the Māori craft of raranga/weaving to create kete/baskets, whāriki/floor mats and gorgeous kākahu/cloaks as well as taura/ropes. Look for them: Harakeke can be seen in ZEALANDIA on Lake Road and in the wetlands area, flowering from late October through February.