The accumulation of total water-soluble carbohydrate, and specifically sucrose and fructan, by excised leaves of Phormium tenax and P. cookianum (family Phormiaceae J. G. Agardh, order Asparagales) was investigated. Total water-soluble carbohydrate content of excised leaves of P. tenax and P.
The water-soluble carbohydrates (WSCs) extracted from the underground parts of Arthropodium cirratum, Astelia banksii, Bulbinella hookeri, Dianella nigra and Xeronema callistemon, and the flower stem of Phormium tenax have been investigated. Extracts of A. cirratum, B. hookeri, D. nigra and P. tenax