Single stem initially, then branched with strap-like leaves, evergreen. Tolerates a wide range of sites, including coastal and swampy sites. Our selection is from a cold inland Canterbury site.

Small evergreen tree found in wetter areas throughout NZ most frequently at higher, cooler altitudes and in frosty valleys. Leaves are long soft, parallel-sided with many small marginal teeth. Bark is smooth and light brown. Flowers are small in clusters most abundant on woody twigs below the leaves, yellow for female, purple for males on separate trees, flowering mid-winter to early summer. Fruits 4-6mm dark purple late winter to late summer.

A stunningly dark purple Flax that is very well regarded and very wildly planted as an ornamental throughout NZ. Upright spears of purple-black foliage.

NZ evergreen. Broad erect green or bluish-green blades, erect tall flower heads in spring attract nectar feeding birds. Seed pods stand erect. Favours wet sites but adaptable. Used for shelter in exposed moist coastal sites.