Cordyline australis (G.Forst.) Endl.

An evergreen tree. It grows 7-10 m high. It is 2-3 m across. It has a small upright trunk and short stout branches. It can have several branches towards the top. At the top there are a large dense mass of sword-like grey-green leaves. These are 1 m long by 5 cm wide. They occur in rings. After 8-10 years they produce large plumes of creamy white flowers. The fruit are white or bluish berries.

It is a warm temperate to subtropical plant. It is fairly frost hardy. The do best in rich, well drained soil. It can tolerate salt spray. It grows in forests, swamps and on open hillsides. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens.

The sweet, fleshy underground stems or rhizomes are steamed or baked and eaten. They are also brewed into an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. The central pith of the trunk can be steamed and eaten. The central core or base of the young leaves emerging from the stem is diced and eaten raw or cooked.

They can be grown from seed or stem cuttings.