(Phormium tenax)
Family: Agavaceae
Description:
- Plant to 2 m (6 ft) tall, with smooth, leathery, sword-shaped leaves that grow clumped in a fan shape
- Native to New Zealand, introduced as an ornamental in the late 1800’s; introduced to Molokai in late 1960s-early 1970s
Harm:
- Crowds out other vegetation and blocks sunlight
- Plants may have as many as 10,000 seeds/flower that spread with the wind
- Also produces clones, which sprout up and spread out
- Known pest on St. Helena Island
In Hawaii:
- Kauai – Present in landscaped areas.
- Oahu – Present in landscaped areas.
- Maui – Present in landscaped areas.
- Molokai – Present in native high-elevation ohia-uluhe rainforest in Kamakou Reserve, Puu Kauwa, Molokai Forest. MoMISC is working to control this pest where possible.
