Palm lily, Giant palm lily, Swamp palm lily
Cordyline manners-suttoniae

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A tall shrub. It can grow to 5 m tall. It forms large clumps. The leaves are broad and sword shaped. They taper to the base and have a pointed tip. They are 30-90 cm long by 5-18 cm wide. The stalk rolls inwards. The flowers are white. They are 1-1.5 cm long. They are borne in panicles which have many branches and are 20-90 cm long. The fruit are red berries. These are crowded together and are 1 cm across.

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

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally in rainforests in Queensland in Australia. It needs a rich well-drained soil. It needs a shady protected position. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The roots were eaten after processing.

Edible parts

Roots

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed, division of the rhizome or stem cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Andong lil daun lebar, Broad-leafed palm lily

Synonyms

Cordyline terminalis var. manners-suttoniae (F. Muell.) Baker;