The Cabbage Tree (Cordyline australis), shown here in its low-growing form, is a distinctive palmoid monocot often mistaken for a palm due to its tall, upright habit and clustered leaf crowns. It is sometimes called the “Torbay Palm” or simply “Cabbage Palm,” though it is botanically unrelated to true palms. Native to New Zealand, it thrives in coastal and lowland environments, where its long, sword-shaped leaves fan outward in dramatic tufts.

In its reduced or younger form, the plant remains closer to the ground, creating a sculptural presence well-suited to landscape groupings or architectural plantings. The Cabbage Tree is renowned for its panicles of sweetly scented white flowers, which are followed by bluish-white berries enjoyed by birds. Historically, it has held cultural importance for Māori communities, valued for its fibrous leaves and edible shoots. This low form highlights the species’ adaptability, serving as both a resilient native species and a striking ornamental