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Kōrero: Flax and flax working

Feeding on flax flowers

Image
Feeding on flax flowers

A tūī feeds on the red flowers of Phormium tenax, the more common of the two species of New Zealand flax. In spring, tūī and bellbirds are attracted to the flower’s sweet nectar. While feeding, the birds also carry pollen from plant to plant, which results in the production of seed in long pods.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10059681

by Damien Toman

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Nancy Swarbrick, Flax and flax working – New Zealand flax, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/10374/feeding-on-flax-flowers (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Nancy Swarbrick, i tāngia i te 1 March 2009.