Cordyline Indivisa

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in biology, Cordyline indivisa (Alias:Broad-leaved Cabbage Tree and Mountain Cabbage Tree and Bush Flax Latin:Cordyline indivisa (G.Forst.) Endl.  Synonyms: Cordyline Hookeri and Cordyline Hectori)is a genus of about 24 species of woody monocotyledonous flowering plants in family Asparagaceae, subfamily Lomandroideae. Palm-like small upland tree with few erect branches that have tufts of tough long wide pointed blueish-green leaves. Leaves 1-2m long by 10-15cm wide, usually erect, dead leaves forming a skirt at base of tuft, central vein reddish at base. Fruit small, blueish.

Stout tree up to 8 m tall. Trunk up 0.4-0.8 m diam. Stems massive, usually unbranched or sparingly so. Leaves 1-2 x 0.1-0.15(-0.3) m, blue-green above, glaucous below, broadly sword-shaped, drooping with age, narrowed above base to a short petiole, midrib stout, broad and conspicuous, often tinged red, orange red or golden. Inflorescence a panicle arising from base of growing points under leaves. Peduncle stout, fleshy, short and more or less hidden in foliage. Panicle 0.6-1.6 x 0.3 m, very compact, with only first order branching from stout central axis. Basal bracts broad. Racemes 100-200 mm long, 20 mm diam. Flowers somewhat fleshy, faintly fragrant, crowded on axes. Pedicels obvious, 2-3(-5) mm long. Perianth 7-8 mm long, tepals fused for most of length, strongly recurved. Stamens more or less equal to tepal length. Stigma narrow-capitate. Fruit 6 mm dim., globose bluish to dark blue. Seeds 2 mm long, black, shining, 2 sides flat and one convex.

Distribution

In the North Island known south of Kohukohunui (Hunua) and Te Moehau (Coromandel Peninsula) but only really common from the Raukumara Ranges and northern portion of the Central Volcanic Plateau southwards. In the South Island widespread and common along the north and western portions of the island, more local in the drier eastern regions.

habitat

A feature of montane forests and subalpine shrublands (where it usually grows within gullies and at valley heads). Extending into lowland situations where physical geography allows for a cooler climate. The characteristic cabbage tree of the wetter, montane forests of the West Coast of the South Island.

It is a very attractive tree, but it has a tendency to collapse suddenly during high temperatures or in times of water shortage. It prefers cool moist soils, and semi-shade, and is easy to grow in the cooler parts of New Zealand. North of Hamilton, it can only be grown with great difficulty but few plants survive long enough to flower in lowland areas.

Light

The tree will grow best when planted in partial shade.

Water

When growing a Cordyline indivisa, it's important to keep the soil evenly moist. You can water freely in dry weather.

Soil

These plants will grow best in cool, moist, and fertile soil that's rich in organic matter and well-drained. The soil can be chalky, loamy, or sandy.

Temperature and Humidity

Cordyline indivisa is best suited for growth in tropical climates, but it can also tolerate somewhat cooler temperatures. These trees may not be able to tolerate an abundance of direct sunlight, and they generally can't survive frost.

Fertilizer

Cordyline indivisa can be fertilized; just be sure that if it's being grown outdoors, you wait until the middle of the spring. A balanced fertilizer can help promote new growth. You should fertilize regularly for the best display.