FIFTEEN VARIETIES

Te Ao Hou, Spring 1952, Page 42

FIFTEEN VARIETIES The flax plant grows abundantly in swampy areas and on the banks of running streams, where it is at its best. Those growing on hillsides are a different variety, and were hardly ever used for plaiting and weaving. According to some authorities the old Maori experts recognised 15 varieties of flax. Of these, the most superior leaves, whose fibres were used for fashioning the korowai and aronui cloaks, belonged to the varieties known as oue, tihore, rukutia, huruhika and huhiroa. To find the oue plant look for a leaf which is narrow, deep green in colour, and with the edge and keel coloured like the karaka. The huhiroa has a bluish-green leaf, bordered by a black or deep brown line, and which tapers gradually to a point. Tihore, Rukutia and Huruhika appear to be different names for the oue. A variety easily recognisable is the Parekoretawa which is a variegated plant, with bright green leaves striped lengthwise with a sulphur colour. Other than being a valued ornament, this type had no use at all.