Botanical name:

Cordyline obteca

Common name(s):

Three Kings Cabbage Tree

About:

A palm-like small tree characterised by many erect branches or sometimes multiple trunks. These trees feature tufts of tough, long, and narrow pointed leaves, which add to their distinctive appearance. They predominantly inhabit the northern tip of the North Island, as well as various offshore islands, thriving in the unique environments found in these regions.

Natural habitat:

On Norfolk Island, C. obtecta grows in forest on Mt Bates, Mt Pitt, and elsewhere in the National Park. In New Zealand it was first described as C. kaspar and was thought to be restricted to the Three Kings Islands, 55km north of the North Island. Later it was found on the North Island at North Cape, and on Murimotu Island and the Poor Knights Islands.

Growing environment:

Sun, Salt, Wind, Coastal, Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s; Three Kings Islands (North East Island, Manawa Tawhi (Great Island), South West Island and West Island), North Island (North Cape and Murimotu Island), Poor Knights Islands (Aorangi and Tawhiti Rahi). Also present on Norfolk Island, which is the type Locality for Cordyline obtecta.

Height: 4m

Flowering:

September – December with a white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

March – June with a small white fruit.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Forests & Container friendly.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed, emergent shoot, stem and even trunk cuttings. Reasonably hardy, certainly less prone to Cabbage Tree Decline. Cordyline obtecta will tolerate most soils and moisture regimes but dislikes long periods of drought and is frost sensitive. Excellent in pots and tubs.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though