Cordyline australis   ti kouka/cabbage tree

Life Form:
Tree

Flowers Seeds Dispersal:
Berries are eaten and the seeds are dispersed by birds

Habitat:
Shade intolerant. Grows on forest margins, disturbed areas, stream and river banks and damp and boggy places. Cabbage tree is a New Zealand icon, growing along river and stream banks, forest margins and in swampy areas. Cabbage trees are intolerant of shade and drought but cope well with waterlogged roots. As well as being characteristic of New Zealand's landscape, the cabbage tree is an important component of restoration planting because of its limited height (generally about 6-8 metres) and foliage at the top of bare stems make it a valuable screening tree, while allowing light to surrounding vegetation