Three Kings Cabbage Tree

Botanical name: Cordyline obtecta

Synonyms: Cordyline kaspar, Cordyline baueri

Common name(s): Three Kings Cabbage Tree, Norfolk Island Cabbage Tree, Tī

About:
A distinctive branching cabbage tree native to the Three Kings Islands, Poor Knights Islands, North Cape and Norfolk Island. It forms a stout, often multi-trunked tree with broad yellow-green leaves and large fragrant flower panicles. Three Kings cabbage tree is closely related to the common cabbage tree but differs in its broader leaves, heavier branching and larger seeds. It is widely admired as an ornamental tree in warm coastal gardens.

Natural habitat:
Coastal forest margins, rocky headlands, offshore islands, cliff faces and sheltered maritime forest from sea level to low elevations.

Growing environment:
Prefers warm coastal climates with free-draining soils and shelter from severe frost. Tolerates salt spray, wind and dry conditions once established. Performs best in full sun or light shade.

Endemic distribution:
Indigenous to northern New Zealand and Norfolk Island. In New Zealand it occurs naturally on the Three Kings Islands, Poor Knights Islands, Murimotu Island and the North Cape region.

Height:
4–10 m

Width:
3–6 m

Flowering:
September–December

Fruiting:
March–June

Uses:
• Coastal shelter and specimen planting
• Subtropical and coastal gardens
• Street and park planting in frost-free areas
• Ecological restoration on northern offshore islands
• Food source for native birds and insects
• Architectural feature tree

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A stout, widely branching tree with either a solitary trunk or several stems arising from ground level. Mature trees develop broad crowns with dense clusters of foliage at the ends of the branches.

Leaves:
Leaves are yellow-green to glaucous green and broadly strap-shaped, measuring 60–100 cm long and 5–10 cm wide. They are widest above the middle and narrow gradually into a short leaf stalk. The midrib is relatively obscure on the upper surface but more visible beneath. Older leaves often arch gracefully with age.

Flowers:
Large, broad panicles of strongly scented white flowers are produced amongst the foliage during spring and early summer. The flower clusters are densely branched and highly attractive to insects and pollinators.

Fruit:
The fruit is a small globose berry approximately 4–5 mm in diameter, ripening white to bluish-white or occasionally pale purple. Seeds are glossy black and deeply notched on one side.

Ecology:
The sweetly scented flowers attract numerous insects while the fleshy berries are readily dispersed by birds. The species occasionally hybridises naturally with cabbage tree (Cordyline australis) where their ranges overlap.

Associated habitats:
Coastal forest, maritime shrubland, offshore island vegetation, rocky coastal slopes and cliff communities.

How to grow:
Plant in full sun or light shade in well-drained soil. It tolerates coastal exposure and periods of dryness once established but should be protected from severe frosts, especially when young. Avoid poorly drained or waterlogged sites.

Propagation:
Readily propagated from fresh seed, stem cuttings, trunk sections and emerging shoots. Seed germinates reliably in warm conditions.

Cultural use:
Although not as widely utilised as tī kōuka, this species forms part of the traditional northern Pacific Cordyline flora and contributes to the distinctive vegetation of northern offshore islands and Norfolk Island.

Garden value:
An attractive and highly ornamental cabbage tree valued for its broad foliage, multi-stemmed habit and strongly scented flowers. Its tolerance of salt spray and coastal conditions makes it one of the finest architectural trees for warm maritime gardens.