{"id":"phormium-tenax","license":"CC-BY-4.0","data":{"scientificName":"Phormium tenax","commonNames":["Flax","Harakeke","Kōrari"],"taxonRank":"species","acceptedName":"Phormium tenax","family":"Asphodelaceae","ids":{"usdaSymbol":"PHTE8","gbifKey":2778511,"itisTsn":504346,"wikidataQid":"Q607380","inatTaxonId":51754},"states":["HI"],"rangeAssertions":[{"relation":"introduced","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["HI"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 6 — PACIFIC","TDWG level 2 63 — North-Central Pacific","TDWG level 3 HAW — Hawaii"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z"}],"plantForm":"shrub","uses":["ornamental"],"photo":{"file":"/images/plants/phormium-tenax.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/247427508","observationUrl":"https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/144190392","license":"cc-by","attribution":"(c) strewick, some rights reserved (CC BY)","fetchedOn":"2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z"},"evidence":[{"source":"fenz-low-flammability","verdict":"mixed","verdictRaw":"Moderate/high flammability","claims":"Moderate/high flammability classification.","plantPart":"shoot","edition":"2026","url":"https://www.checkitsalright.nz/reduce-your-risk/low-flammability-plants","accessedOn":"2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"wyse-2016-nz-60-species","verdict":"recommend","verdictRaw":"Low flammability category (Fig. 2)","claims":"Shoot category from the paper's cluster analysis; samples were air-dried for 24 hours before testing.","plantPart":"shoot","edition":"2016","url":"https://researcharchive.lincoln.ac.nz/bitstreams/f71e918c-7752-443a-a5ed-8307c07ae635/download","documentDate":"2016-02-25T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-24T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"girona-pirojardineria-2020","verdict":"recommend","verdictRaw":"RECOMENDADA","claims":"Phormium tenax is rated “RECOMENDADA” by the guide's qualitative IUF garden-suitability method. The method assumes species-specific care and integrates fire evidence with fuel structure, maintenance, origin, invasiveness, and expert fire-service experience.","sourcePlacement":{"value":"suitable inside or outside the 25-metre maximum-risk zone","scheme":"girona-2020-iuf-25m-suitability"},"edition":"2020 Spanish edition","url":"https://interior.gencat.cat/web/.content/home/030_arees_dactuacio/bombers/foc_forestal/publicacions_tecniques_i_normativa/guies_tecniques/prevencio_i_extincio/2020_Guia_de_pirojardineria_es.pdf","documentDate":"2020-01-01T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"ignition frequency (%): 50","score":{"value":50,"scale":"FLAMITS — ignition frequency (%)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 1449; Ignitability measurement; plant part branches; fuel all; predrying yes; device grill; site Cui2020a-1; sampling ND. Primary study Cui2020a: Cui, X., Paterson, A. M., Wyse, S. V., Alam, M. A., Maurin, K. J. L., Pieper, R., ... Curran, T. J. (2020a). Shoot flammability of vascular plants is phylogenetically conserved and related to habitat fire-proneness and growth form. Nature Plants, 6, 355-359.","plantPart":"shoot","original":"Cui2020a","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"maximum sample temperature (°C): 246.6","score":{"value":246.6,"scale":"FLAMITS — maximum sample temperature (°C)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 1643; Combustibility measurement; plant part branches; fuel all; predrying yes; device grill; site Cui2020a-1; sampling ND. Primary study Cui2020a: Cui, X., Paterson, A. M., Wyse, S. V., Alam, M. A., Maurin, K. J. L., Pieper, R., ... Curran, T. J. (2020a). Shoot flammability of vascular plants is phylogenetically conserved and related to habitat fire-proneness and growth form. Nature Plants, 6, 355-359.","plantPart":"shoot","original":"Cui2020a","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"burning duration (s): 2.4","score":{"value":2.4,"scale":"FLAMITS — burning duration (s)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 1837; Sustainability measurement; plant part branches; fuel all; predrying yes; device grill; site Cui2020a-1; sampling ND. Primary study Cui2020a: Cui, X., Paterson, A. M., Wyse, S. V., Alam, M. A., Maurin, K. J. L., Pieper, R., ... Curran, T. J. (2020a). Shoot flammability of vascular plants is phylogenetically conserved and related to habitat fire-proneness and growth form. Nature Plants, 6, 355-359.","plantPart":"shoot","original":"Cui2020a","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"estimated burnt biomass (%): 3.1","score":{"value":3.1,"scale":"FLAMITS — estimated burnt biomass (%)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 2031; Consumability measurement; plant part branches; fuel all; predrying yes; device grill; site Cui2020a-1; sampling ND. Primary study Cui2020a: Cui, X., Paterson, A. M., Wyse, S. V., Alam, M. A., Maurin, K. J. L., Pieper, R., ... Curran, T. J. (2020a). Shoot flammability of vascular plants is phylogenetically conserved and related to habitat fire-proneness and growth form. Nature Plants, 6, 355-359.","plantPart":"shoot","original":"Cui2020a","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"temperature at smoke (°C): 77.38","score":{"value":77.38,"scale":"FLAMITS — temperature at smoke (°C)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 8471; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device muffle furnace; site Mason2016-9; sampling summer. Primary study Mason2016: Mason, N. W. H., Frazao, C., Buxton, R. P., & Richardson, S. J. (2016). Fire form and function: evidence for exaptive flammability in the New Zealand flora. Plant Ecology, 217, 645-659.","plantPart":"leaf","original":"Mason2016","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"temperature at smoke (°C): 157.2","score":{"value":157.2,"scale":"FLAMITS — temperature at smoke (°C)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 8472; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device muffle furnace; site Mason2016-9; sampling summer. Primary study Mason2016: Mason, N. W. H., Frazao, C., Buxton, R. P., & Richardson, S. J. (2016). Fire form and function: evidence for exaptive flammability in the New Zealand flora. Plant Ecology, 217, 645-659.","plantPart":"leaf","original":"Mason2016","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"temperature at flaming (°C): 152.2","score":{"value":152.2,"scale":"FLAMITS — temperature at flaming (°C)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 8686; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device muffle furnace; site Mason2016-9; sampling summer. Primary study Mason2016: Mason, N. W. H., Frazao, C., Buxton, R. P., & Richardson, S. J. (2016). Fire form and function: evidence for exaptive flammability in the New Zealand flora. Plant Ecology, 217, 645-659.","plantPart":"leaf","original":"Mason2016","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"temperature at flaming (°C): 238.1","score":{"value":238.1,"scale":"FLAMITS — temperature at flaming (°C)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 8687; Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device muffle furnace; site Mason2016-9; sampling summer. Primary study Mason2016: Mason, N. W. H., Frazao, C., Buxton, R. P., & Richardson, S. J. (2016). Fire form and function: evidence for exaptive flammability in the New Zealand flora. Plant Ecology, 217, 645-659.","plantPart":"leaf","original":"Mason2016","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"temperature increase rate (°C/s): 20.35","score":{"value":20.35,"scale":"FLAMITS — temperature increase rate (°C/s)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 8901; Combustibility measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device muffle furnace; site Mason2016-9; sampling summer. Primary study Mason2016: Mason, N. W. H., Frazao, C., Buxton, R. P., & Richardson, S. J. (2016). Fire form and function: evidence for exaptive flammability in the New Zealand flora. Plant Ecology, 217, 645-659.","plantPart":"leaf","original":"Mason2016","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"temperature increase rate (°C/s): 14.46","score":{"value":14.46,"scale":"FLAMITS — temperature increase rate (°C/s)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 8902; Combustibility measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device muffle furnace; site Mason2016-9; sampling summer. Primary study Mason2016: Mason, N. W. H., Frazao, C., Buxton, R. P., & Richardson, S. J. (2016). Fire form and function: evidence for exaptive flammability in the New Zealand flora. Plant Ecology, 217, 645-659.","plantPart":"leaf","original":"Mason2016","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"ignition frequency (%): 25","score":{"value":25,"scale":"FLAMITS — ignition frequency (%)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 14362; Ignitability measurement; plant part branches; fuel all; predrying yes; device grill; site Wyse2016-3; sampling ND. Primary study Wyse2016: Wyse, S. V., Perry, G. L. W., O'Connell, D. M., Holland, P. S., Wright, M. J., Hosted, C. L., ... Curran, T. J. (2016). A quantitative assessment of shoot flammability for 60 tree and shrub species supports rankings based on expert opinion. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 25, 466-477.","plantPart":"shoot","original":"Wyse2016","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"maximum sample temperature (°C): 127","score":{"value":127,"scale":"FLAMITS — maximum sample temperature (°C)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 14422; Combustibility measurement; plant part branches; fuel all; predrying yes; device grill; site Wyse2016-3; sampling ND. Primary study Wyse2016: Wyse, S. V., Perry, G. L. W., O'Connell, D. M., Holland, P. S., Wright, M. J., Hosted, C. L., ... Curran, T. J. (2016). A quantitative assessment of shoot flammability for 60 tree and shrub species supports rankings based on expert opinion. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 25, 466-477.","plantPart":"shoot","original":"Wyse2016","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"burning duration (s): 2.3","score":{"value":2.3,"scale":"FLAMITS — burning duration (s)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 14482; Sustainability measurement; plant part branches; fuel all; predrying yes; device grill; site Wyse2016-3; sampling ND. Primary study Wyse2016: Wyse, S. V., Perry, G. L. W., O'Connell, D. M., Holland, P. S., Wright, M. J., Hosted, C. L., ... Curran, T. J. (2016). A quantitative assessment of shoot flammability for 60 tree and shrub species supports rankings based on expert opinion. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 25, 466-477.","plantPart":"shoot","original":"Wyse2016","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"estimated burnt biomass (%): 0.9","score":{"value":0.9,"scale":"FLAMITS — estimated burnt biomass (%)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 14542; Consumability measurement; plant part branches; fuel all; predrying yes; device grill; site Wyse2016-3; sampling ND. Primary study Wyse2016: Wyse, S. V., Perry, G. L. W., O'Connell, D. M., Holland, P. S., Wright, M. J., Hosted, C. L., ... Curran, T. J. (2016). A quantitative assessment of shoot flammability for 60 tree and shrub species supports rankings based on expert opinion. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 25, 466-477.","plantPart":"shoot","original":"Wyse2016","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"ozbreed-fire-retardant-plants","verdict":"recommend","verdictRaw":"List 2 — Chocomint Mist ™ Phormium tenax ‘PHOS4’ A; Flamin’® Phormiuim tenax ‘PHOS3’ A; Sweet Mist ® Phormium tenax ‘PH0S2’ A","claims":"The review says this genus and species appears regularly on multiple fire-retardant plant lists.","plantPart":"whole-plant","edition":"2014 PDF","url":"https://www.ozbreed.com.au/download/fire_retardant_plants.pdf","documentDate":"2014-01-23T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"}],"flammabilityClass":"fire-resistant","ratingReason":"consensus","recommendation":"on-list","author":"grayson-graham","reviewStatus":"draft","lastVerified":"2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z","reviewNotes":"Photo auto-selected (top-voted iNat); human review pending."},"localAssessmentInputs":{"stateDistribution":["HI"],"nativeStates":[],"rangeAssertions":[{"relation":"introduced","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["HI"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 6 — PACIFIC","TDWG level 2 63 — North-Central Pacific","TDWG level 3 HAW — Hawaii"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z","provenance":"cited"},{"relation":"documented-occurrence","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["HI"]},"provenance":"legacy-field"}],"usdaZoneMin":null,"usdaZoneMax":null,"hardinessAssertions":[],"hardinessSelection":{"status":"none","assertions":[]},"invasiveIn":[],"statusAssertions":[],"fireEvidenceClass":"fire-resistant","recommendation":"on-list","fireSourceScopes":[],"firePerformanceConditions":[],"maintenanceAssertions":[],"maintenanceConditions":null,"regulatoryReviews":{},"seedReviews":{}},"legacyCompatibilityProjection":{"nativeStates":[],"invasiveIn":[]},"localAssessmentContract":"Compare each dimension separately. State noxious-weed seed designations are material-scoped and never become non-seed plant restrictions, ecological-invasive findings, nursery restrictions, alternatives, product evidence, or fire votes. Introduced/established context is not an invasive warning. Minimum-only hardiness has no inferred maximum; canonical source-temperature conversion is validated and contradictory applicable rows project no primary zone. L48 context applies only to conterminous states and is never exact-state status. Fire-performance conditions are not maintenance advice. FEIS fire-ecology context does not vote in the plant classification. Absence of a status row is not regulatory clearance."}