Giant Dracaena, Cabbage Tree Palm, New Zealand cabbage tree
Cordyline australis

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 7-10 m high. It is 2-3 m across. It has a small upright trunk and short stout branches. It can have several branches towards the top. At the top there are a large dense mass of sword-like grey-green leaves. These are 1 m long by 5 cm wide. They occur in rings. After 8-10 years they produce large plumes of creamy white flowers. The fruit are white or bluish berries.

There are 15-20 Cordyline species. Also put in the family Laxmanniaceae.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate to subtropical plant. It is fairly frost hardy. The do best in rich, well drained soil. It can tolerate salt spray. It grows in forests, swamps and on open hillsides. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, Europe, Falklands, India, Indonesia, Ireland, New Zealand (country/location of origin), SE Asia, Slovenia, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The sweet, fleshy underground stems or rhizomes are steamed or baked and eaten. They are also brewed into an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. The central pith of the trunk can be steamed and eaten. The central core or base of the young leaves emerging from the stem is diced and eaten raw or cooked.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, stem, rhizome

How it is grown

They can be grown from seed or stem cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Južna kijevka, Kordilin selandia baru, Pandan merah, Ti kouka, Whanake

Synonyms

Dracaena australis;