Cordyline Baker (1875)
Greek: kordyle = a club (referring to the fleshy roots)
The genus Cordyline includes 15 - 20 species of woody flowering plants from the Western Pacific area including Eastern Australia, New Zealand, Polynesia, Hawaii and South-East Asia including India. Six species from New Zealand are of interest for temperate gardens.
Classification of Cordyline is controversial. The genus has been variously included in the Agavaceae, Asteliaceae, Liliaceae and Dracaenaceae. As a generality, Cordylines have white roots and Dracaenas have orange roots.
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Cordyline australis Syn: Dacaena australis (Cabbage Palm) (right)
is a palm-like tree with a single trunk up to 30 ft. Unlike most real palms the trunk may branch after flowering. The trunk of mature plants may have a crown of many branches each carrying a tuft of leaves. The stiff sword-like leaves are 2-3 ft long and 1-2 inches wide and do not have the sharp terminal spines or sharp edges associated with many Agavaceae. Cordylines are suitable for planting near paths or in patio planters. The leathery leaves tolerate a certain amount of abuse. Flowers are panicles of tiny creamy-white fragrant flowers.
Cordyline indivisia with wider glaucous leaves is grown in milder parts of Great Britain and Southern Ireland.
Cultivation: Cordyline australis is used extensively in landscaping in temperate climates. Many large specimens can be seen in Southern England. The potential to grow 30 ft tall should be borne in mind when planting a small Cordyline near buildings. The root of Cordyline australis is a large rhizome and fibrous roots, which may account for over a quarter of the total biomass of the plant. While not generally considered invasive, the root mass could press against adjacent structures causing damage.
Cordyline australis is the most cold-hardy Cordyline and cold wet roots or penetration of cold water into the growing point are more likely to kill the plant than frost. A young plant can have its crown protected with straw during winters until established.
Other Cordyline species grow as small shrubs suitable for patio pots, brought indoors or covered before the first frosts. Numerous variegated and brightly coloured cultivars are available.
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Cordyline australis
Cabbage Palm
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Families of Succulent Plants 
