ON THIS PLANT
Cordyline pumilio, commonly known as the dwarf cabbage tree, pygmy cabbage tree or by its Māori names tī koraha or tī rauriki, is a narrow-leaved monocot shrub endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. It usually grows up to 1 metre tall, although rare examples of 2 metres tall have been reported. It has long leaves and can easily be mistaken for a grass or a sedge. C. pumilio grows in the north of the North Island from North Cape at 34°S to Kawhia and Ōpōtiki at about 38°S, generally under light forest and scrub. It was cultivated by Māori as a source of carbohydrate and used as a relish to sweeten less palatable foods.
CHARACTERISTICS
Botanical profile.
- Genus
- Cordyline
- Family
- Asparagaceae
ALSO KNOWN AS
Other names.
en Dwarf cabbage tree en Pygmy cabbage tree en Tī koraha en Tī rauriki
