Phormium cookianum - Wharariki

Family:	Agavaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.2
Width:	0.3
Synonyms:	P. cookianum. Le Jolis. P. hookeri.
Range:	New Zealand. Naturalized in Britain on the Scilly Isles.

Phormium cookianum (Wharariki) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.2m and a width of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 8and is vunerable to frost.
Wharariki will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Wharariki will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Wharariki prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Wharariki can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Coastal cliffs to mountain slopes, locally dominant on shady faces in high country, North, South and Stewart Islands[44].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Prefers a rich loamy soil[1] but is not too fussy, succeeding in peaty soils and in boggy moorland[11]. Tolerates light shade[1] but prefers full sun[200]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[233]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure, this species is recommended for coastal plantings[166, 187]. Hardy to about -10°c[187]. Polymorphic, there are many named varieties[200]. This species often hybridizes with P. tenax and there are many cultivars of uncertain origin. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute[173]. An edible nectar is obtained from the flowers[173]. An edible gum is obtained from the base of the leaves[173].

• Coffee - the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.
• Gum - can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.
• Nectar - produced in such abundance by some flowers that it can be harvested fairly easily.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Sow stored seed in February in a cold frame. Germination is sometimes poor but should take place in 1 - 6 months at 15°c. The seedlings are very variable. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed remains viable for about 12 months in normal storage[1]. Division in spring as growth commences. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Known Hazards

The root is highly purgative[173].

Other Uses

A high quality pliable fibre is obtained from the leaves[153]. A gum found at the base of the leaves is used as a paper glue[173].

• Adhesive - Glues.
• Fibre - Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.
• Gum - Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.

Cultivars

'' - No entries have been made for this species as yet.

References

Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Bean. W.
Author: Bean. W.
Rating:
Publisher : A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
Date of Publication : 1981

Flora of New Zealand.
Allan. H. H.
Author: Allan. H. H.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work, in 3 volumes though only the first two are of interest to the plant project. Very good on habitats.
Date of Publication : 1961

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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