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Flax cultivars
- Aohanga, Awanga
- Arawa
- Atarau
- Ate
- Ateraukawa
- Atewheke
- Awahou
- Hūhiroa
- Kauhangaroa
- Kōhunga
- Māeneene
- Makaweroa
- Manunu
- Matawai Taniwha
- Mawaru
- Motu-o-nui
- Ngaro
- Ngutunui
- Opiki
- Oue
- Pango
- Paoa
- Parekoritawa
- Paretaniwha
- Potaka
- Rangiwaho
- Rataroa
- Raumoa
- Ruahine
- Ruapani
- Ruawai
- Tākirikau
- Tāne-ā-wai
- Tāpoto
- Tārere
- Taeore, Taiore
- Takaiapu
- Tangi
- Taniwha
- Tapamangu
- Taumataua
- Te Mata
- Te Tatua
- Tukura
- Tupurupuru
- Turingawari
- Tūtaewheke
- Unknown – 'Te Aue Davis'
- Waihirere
- Whakaari
- Wharanui
- Wharariki (41)
- Wharariki (62)
- Whareongaonga
Not best for muka, though some of the older blades strip fairly easily.
| Source | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Cultivar No |  |
17 |
| Source | |
Botanic Gardens, Wellington. Sent from Taranaki in 1870. Identified again by Mrs Orchiston in 1972. |
| Description | |
A distinctive cultivar, with the mature bush having an overall inky blue appearance, the colour of the fluid ejected by the octopus to camouflage itself when under attackóhence the name. Medium to tall, with rather bendy blades. Black keel and margins on older blades, with dark, streaky bronze colourings on upperside. Tawny-red margins and veining in the young leaves. The young bush has a yellowy-bronze appearance. |
| Uses | |
Not best for muka, though some of the older blades strip fairly easily. |
| Muka extraction |  |
Muka extracts cleanly all the way to tip of leaf. Para removes easily. Medium amount of long and strong fibre. |
| Raranga - unboiled | |
Whenu hard to soften, especially butt end. Once softened, lovely and pliable. Finished green kete has satiny shine to it. Older leaves turn yellow. |
