Cabbage Tree
Botanical name: Cordyline australis
Synonyms: Dracaena australis, Dracaenopsis australis
Common name(s): Cabbage Palm, Cabbage Tree, Tī kōuka, Torbay Palm
About:
Cordyline australis is one of New Zealand’s most iconic native trees, instantly recognised by its tall trunk, many-branched crown and tufts of long sword-like leaves. It is widespread, hardy and highly adaptable, occurring from wetlands and river terraces to coastal cliffs, forest margins and open country. Its fragrant white flowers and white berries support many insects and birds, while its leaves, stems and rhizomes have long been important to Māori for food, fibre and medicine.
Natural habitat:
Occurs naturally from coastal to montane forest, especially on alluvial terraces, river margins, wetland edges, lowland valleys, open forest margins, rocky coastal sites and disturbed open ground.
Growing environment:
Prefers full sun and moist, fertile, free-draining soil, but tolerates wind, salt exposure, frost, seasonal wetness and a wide range of soil types. Young plants need light and reliable moisture to establish well, while mature trees are much more drought tolerant.
Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Common throughout the North Island, South Island and Stewart Island. It is probably naturalised on the Chatham Islands and widely cultivated overseas in mild maritime climates.
Height:
5–20 m
Width:
2–6 m
Flowering:
(September–) October–December (–January)
Fruiting:
(December–) January–March
Uses:
• Feature tree for gardens, parks and streets
• Wetland and riparian restoration
• Coastal and exposed-site planting
• Bird and insect habitat
• Māori food source from stems, rhizomes and growing tips
• Fibre for ropes, baskets, mats, sandals and weaving
• Traditional rongoā medicine
• Container and tub planting
Appearance:
Growth habit:
A tall evergreen monocot tree with a single upright trunk when young, later branching after flowering to form a rounded crown of leafy heads. Mature trees become strongly architectural, with many branch forks and dense tufts of leaves at the branch tips.
Trunk and branches:
The trunk is stout and upright, with pale to dark grey corky bark that is fissured and spongy to the touch. Branching usually begins after the first flowering. Large underground rhizomes anchor the tree and store energy, allowing older plants to resprout after damage.
Leaves:
Leaves are long, narrow, sword-shaped and clustered at the ends of the branches. They are usually 30–100 cm long, dark to light green, tough and parallel-veined, with an indistinct midrib. Older leaves may droop slightly and dead leaves often form a skirt beneath the crowns.
Flowers:
Flowers are small, white and sweetly perfumed, produced in large branched panicles. The flower heads may reach 60–100 cm long and attract large numbers of bees, moths, flies, beetles and nectar-feeding birds.
Fruit:
The fruit is a small white berry, usually 5–7 mm wide, containing several black seeds. The berries are eaten by birds, especially kererū, tūī and bellbirds, which disperse the seed.
Ecology:
Cordyline australis is a light-demanding pioneer tree that establishes in open, moist and fertile sites. Its flowers provide nectar for insects and birds, while its fruit is an important seasonal food source for native birds. Old trees support epiphytes, lichens, fungi, insects, lizards, nesting birds and roosting bats. It can recover from fire, storm damage and trunk injury by resprouting from underground rhizomes or dormant buds.
Associated habitats:
Wetlands, swamps, riverbanks, lake margins, alluvial terraces, lowland forest margins, coastal cliffs, rocky shores, open shrubland, regenerating forest, pasture remnants and restoration plantings.
How to grow:
Plant in full sun in moist but free-draining soil. Water regularly while young, especially during dry periods. Mature plants are hardy and tolerate wind, coastal exposure, frost and a wide range of soils. Protect trunks and roots from stock damage, as repeated injury can lead to decline.
Propagation:
Easily propagated from fresh seed, which is often dispersed naturally by birds. It can also be grown from emergent shoots, stem cuttings and even trunk sections.
Cultural use:
Tī kōuka is highly significant to Māori. The stems and rhizomes were steam-cooked to produce kāuru, a sweet carbohydrate-rich food, while the young leaf hearts were eaten raw or cooked as kōuka. The tough leaves provided durable fibre for ropes, fishing lines, baskets, mats, sandals, rain capes and weaving. Various parts were also used in traditional rongoā medicine.
Garden value:
Cabbage tree is one of the most useful and recognisable New Zealand native trees for gardens, parks and restoration projects. Its strong architectural form, fragrant flowers, wildlife value and tolerance of difficult conditions make it ideal for feature planting, wetland edges, coastal sites and large native landscapes.