Also known as mountain flax, this is a smaller relative of harakeke (Phormium tenax) with drooping, yellow-green leaves and twisted seed pods. The leaves are softer and more flexible than those of harakeke, arching outward from the centre of the clump. The flower stalks are tall and slender, bearing clusters of tubular red or yellow flowers that hang like bells from the stem. The flowers are rich in nectar, attracting tūī, bellbirds, and other native birds. The nectar was collected by Māori as a sweet drink, often by squeezing the base of the flower into the mouth. The twisted seed pods are a distinctive feature, curving and spiralling as they dry. They stand upright above the leaves, a sculptural element in the coastal landscape. Wharariki is more tolerant of cold and coastal conditions than harakeke. It grows on coastal cliffs, sand dunes, and in lowland forests, often in exposed sites where harakeke would struggle. It is hardy and adaptable, able to withstand salt spray, strong winds, and drought. The roots go deep into the sand or cliff face, anchoring the plant against the wind. The fibres were used by Māori for weaving, but harakeke was preferred because wharariki fibres are weaker and less durable. The plant was used when harakeke was not available, or for items that did not need to be as strong. The leaves were also used for thatching, providing a waterproof layer for shelters. The plant has a distinctive appearance. The leaves droop at the tips, giving the clump a weeping, graceful shape. The colour is a pale yellow-green, lighter than the deep green of harakeke. The twisted seed pods are the most reliable way to tell the two species apart. Harakeke has upright, straight pods. Wharariki has pods that twist and curl as they mature. Wharariki is also known as mountain flax because it grows at higher altitudes than harakeke. It can be found in subalpine areas, where it survives heavy snow and frost. The plant is an important food source for native birds in these high places, providing nectar when other flowers are scarce. To find wharariki is to walk the coastal cliffs and sand dunes, or to climb the lower mountain slopes. Look for the drooping, yellow-green leaves, the twisted seed pods. The flowers attract birds, a flash of red in the green. It is a flax of the coast, a plant of the exposed places, a survivor of the wind and the salt. It is not as famous as its cousin harakeke, but it is just as important to the birds and the insects and the people who know where to find it.