New Zealand flax

American  

noun

1. a large New Zealand plant, Phormium tenax, of the agave family, having showy, red-margined, leathery leaves and dull-red flowers, grown as an ornamental and for the fiber-yielding leaves.

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Etymology

Origin of New Zealand flax

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

The saddles and bridles were soon removed, and halters improvised out of the New Zealand flax, which can be turned to so many uses.

From Station Amusements in New Zealand by Barker, Lady (Mary Anne)

Timber of excellent quality was plentiful, and it was believed that New Zealand flax promised to be of considerable commercial value.

From The Life of Captain James Cook by Kitson, Arthur

Taylor also took with him a sample of New Zealand flax, which was successfully treated by the process.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 417, December 29, 1883 by Various

Maori name for a species of New Zealand flax.

From Austral English A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia by Morris, Edward Ellis

After the most exact search not a single plant of the New Zealand flax could be found, though we had been taught to believe it abounded there.

From A Narrative of the Expedition to Botany-Bay by Tench, Watkin