What is this plant?

[AWombWithoutAFoof]

They are large (about 6 foot tall), sword shaped leaves, with long stalks of black banana shaped pods which are about 4 inches long.

I've just liberated three pods and would love to try to grown one but no idea how.

[NanTheWiser]

Sounds like Phormium tenax - aka New Zealand flax, be warned, they do grow VERY large! But good luck, I'd wait until spring, and sow in a pot with some warmth if possible.

[AWombWithoutAFoof]

That's it! I do love them, there are loads where I live. So, do I split the pod open in the spring, or do it now and dry the seeds out?