Botanical name:

Cordyline banksii

Common name(s):

Forest Cabbage Tree, Ti Ngahere

About:

A palm-like small forest tree, characterised by its multiple erect branches, features tufts of tough, long, and narrow pointed leaves that gracefully taper into a long leaf stalk. This leaf stalk then widens to form a structure that effectively encloses the stem. The lush green foliage, combined with beautifully scented white flowers, creates a delightful attraction for various native bird species and buzzing bee life, making it an integral part of the ecosystem.

Natural habitat:

Common in coastal, lowland, and lower montane forests. Occasionally extending into subalpine habitats in the South Island. Often found in shrub-lands where it is sympatric with, and often hybridises with Cordyline pumilio. Tolerant of a wide range of situations.

Growing environment:

Frost, Salt, Wind & Coastal tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Common throughout the North Island, In the South widespread through the northern half, extending in the west to about Haast with occasional as unsubstantiated reports of it from the coastal portion of Fiordland.

Height: 4m

Flowering:

November – January with a white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

February – April with small whitish fruit.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings & Forests.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed. Can be grown from stem, shoot and trunk cuttings.

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