New Zealand flax’s long, strap-shaped leaves and clumping growth habit might have you wondering, is Phormium a grass? The short answer is no. Though its appearance can be deceiving, Phormium is not a grass. Below, we’ll explain where Phormium fits in the plant world, why it’s confused with grasses, and list a couple of short, compact varieties that perform extremely well.
Stripy Mist™ Phormium tenax ‘PHOS4’ PVR. http://ozbreed.co.nz/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/stripy-mist-phormium/
Sweet Mist™ Phormium tenax ‘PHOS2’ PVR. http://ozbreed.co.nz/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/sweet-mist-phormium/
What is Phormium?
Phormium is a hardy, perennial plant native to New Zealand, often called NZ flax. Renowned for its dramatic foliage and natural architectural beauty, it holds a special place in both traditional Maori culture and modern landscaping. With its bold, upright leaves, Phormium is often mistaken for a grass. However, it is unrelated to true grasses, which are members of the Poaceae family.
Phormium belongs to the Asphodelaceae family, which it shares with plants such as Aloe and Dianella. These plants are known for their toughness and adaptability, and Phormium is no exception.
Stripy Mist™ Phormium tenax ‘PHOS4’ PVR. http://ozbreed.co.nz/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/stripy-mist-phormium/
Sweet Mist™ Phormium tenax ‘PHOS2’ PVR. http://ozbreed.co.nz/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/sweet-mist-phormium/
How Does Phormium Differ from Grass?
At first glance, it’s easy to see why Phormium is often mistaken for a type of grass, especially given its clumping growth and strap-like leaves. However, key differences make Phormium stand apart:
- Family Group: While true grasses belong to the Poaceae family, Phormium is classified in the Asphodelaceae family, making it unrelated to actual grasses.
- Flowers and Fruits: Phormium produces stunning flowers on tall, arching stalks, often in shades of red, orange, and yellow. These mature into seed pods. Grasses, by contrast, bear smaller flowers without petals or sepals on spikelets.
- Foliage: The leaves of Phormium are broader, more rigid, and often vividly coloured, ranging from green and bronze to striped varieties. Meanwhile, grasses have leaves that sheath the stems which have knobby nodes.
True grasses have knobby knee nodes and leaf sheaths like this. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Digitaria_eriantha_node3_NWS_-_Flickr_-_Macleay_Grass_Man.jpg
Why is Phormium Often Mistaken for Grass?
Phormium’s long, strappy leaves and clumping habit are the main reasons it gets confused with grasses. But its structural form, lack of leaf sheaths and knobby nodes, and flower spikes that mature into seedpods are all clear indicators that Phormium is in a league of its own.
Final Thoughts
To summarise, Phormium may look like a grass at first glance, but it’s not closely related to true grasses. Instead, this native New Zealand plant is a proud member of the Asphodelaceae family, along with Aloe and Dianella. Next time someone asks is Phormium a grass?, you can share your newfound knowledge.