Botanical name:

Cordyline indivisa

Common name(s):

Mountain Cabbage Tree, tōī, broad-leaved cabbage tree

About:

This Cabbage tree will usually feature only a single prominent head. The species can be easily distinguished from all other Cordyline species by its very broad, striking blue or grey leaves and the conspicuous midrib that is often tinged with hues of orange, red, or even a touch of golden colour. Once established, this hardy tree thrives remarkably well in various conditions and serves to attract an abundance of bird and bee life, contributing positively to the local ecosystem.

Natural habitat:

A feature of montane forests and subalpine shrub-lands (where it usually grows within gullies and at valley heads) at altitudes ranging from 450m to 1400m. Extending into lowland situations where physical geography allows for a cooler climate. The characteristic cabbage tree of the wetter, montane forests of the West Coast of the South Island.

Growing environment:

Sun, Shade & Wind tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

In the North Island known south of the Coromandel Peninsula but only really common from the Raukumara Ranges and northern portion of the Central Volcanic Plateau southwards. In the South Island widespread and common along the north and western portions of the island, more local in the drier eastern regions.

Height: 8m

Flowering:

(November-) December-January with a green, purple or white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

January-May with small blueish fruit.

Uses:

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

How to grow:

Easily grown from seed. However this species requires cool, damp soils and shady or cool situations, unless grown within the montane habitats it prefers. In lowland, warm climate situations few plants ever reach flowering size before dying.

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