Cabbage Tree - Cordyline austalis

The Cabbage tree grows up to 20 meters tall and has a stout trunk with sword like leaves which are clusted at the tips.

Branches can grow up to a meter in length. This is a hardy fast growing tree and its fruit is favoured by the New Zealand pigeon and other birds.

The Cabbage tree or Cordyline austalis was probably introduced by the Maori into the Chatham Islands and Stewart Island.

The largest known tree with a single trunk is in Pakawau, Golden Bay with an estimate age of 400-500 years old.

Maori call the Cabbage tree Ti Kouka and was used as a food source especially in the South Island and particularly in areas other food sources couldn't grow.

It also provided durable fibre for:

* Textiles
* Anchor ropes
* Fishing line
* Baskets
*Waterproof rain coats, cloaks and sandals

In the Northern Hemisphere with milder climates it is an ornamental tree called a Torquay Palm.

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