Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Asphodelaceae ⟩ Phormium cookianum / lesser New Zealand flax

Phormium cookianum Le Jol.

lesser New Zealand flax (Asphodelaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very localVery strong tendencyS
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Phormium cookianum is a large evergreen herb from New Zealand with conspicuous rosettes of long, simple leaves; it has become naturalised in a few locations, especially near the coast.

Swansea (VC41: Glamorgan); 2025-06-14

 lesser New Zealand flax / Phormium cookianum: _Phormium cookianum_ is a large evergreen herb from New Zealand with conspicuous rosettes of long, simple leaves; it has become naturalised in a few locations, especially near the coast.

Phormium cookianum differs from P. tenax by its smaller size, and the curving back of some of the tepals.

Swansea (VC41: Glamorgan); 2025-06-14

 lesser New Zealand flax / Phormium cookianum: _Phormium cookianum_ differs from _P. tenax_ by its smaller size, and the curving back of some of the tepals.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne