Cordyline australis cabbage tree, palm lily

An often gangly-looking monocot, its trunk – and later, branches – are crowned with sword-like leaves. Fragrant clusters of tiny white flowers emerge in spring, developing into small fruit. A sketch from Frederick Law Olmsted showed what looks like one next to a palm in an Inner Quad circle. Substantial specimens grew in front of the Stanfords’ residence near the creek; some younger ones were transplanted from there into the Inner Quad when its circles were being planted in 1890. Cabbage tree has almost certainly been present in the Inner Quad ever since, appearing as “dracaena” in old maps and planting lists. In 1893, it was planted along Serra Street in the front of the Quad, alternating with windmill palm (see Palm Drive notes).

In the New Guinea Garden, it can be compared to Dracaena draco as well as numerous Yucca gigantea specimens. Cabbage palms on the rooftop garden of the McMurtry Building are said to be ‘Red Star’.

Cordyline is from the Greek for “club,” referring to the fleshy roots. Its young leaves and inner stem – the “cabbage” – were consumed by the early European settlers of New Zealand (australis means “southern”). The Maori made use of the leaf fibers for thatching, cordage, and other woven articles.

Illustrations: inner quad | bloom 28 Oct 2003.