Cabbage Tree

Cabbage Palm tree

The Cabbage tree (Cordyline australis) hails from New zealand, where it reaches a height of 15 metres. It has a single long stem, which becomes branched at the crown - branches fork after they have produced a flowering stem.

The tree is especially attractive when flowering, the small white flowers form in large groups that can be up to a metre long. The flowers are followed by large bunches of white berries.

The tree is planted as an ornamental tree across much of western Europe (and in parts of north America). It is also popular as a patio plant, grown in a large tub.

It is fast growing, quite hardy and very wind tolerant (therefore popular in coastal regions). It is also simple to grow from seed.

Note: The tree provided a staple food for hundreds of years in parts of new Zealand - cooked and sun-dried cabbage tree shoots!