Native seed catalogue

Cordyline australis Cabbage tree | Tī kōuka

This guide is based on a literature review. It compiles information from various sources. Different sources may offer varying advice and findings.

Other known names

Tī, palm lily.

Propagation summary

Good germination and seed viability. Uncertainty around long-term storage.

Seed propagation category

Easy.

Geographical distribution

Found widespread throughout New Zealand.(1)

Reproductive system

Monoecious – male and female cones or flowers present on the same plant.(2)

Seed collection

Fruiting happens between December–March.(1) Seeds can be dispersed by birds.(2)

Seed dormancy

26 days to first germination with most of the seeds germinating at around 73 days.(2) Another study reported germination took 2 months.(3)

Pre-sowing treatments

Needs de-pulping (removal of seed from fruit) as in-fruit seeds do not germinate.(2) Can be cool-moist stratified (chilling seeds to promote germination) for 1 month.(3)

Seed viability

100% of seeds are viable.(2)

Germination

Easily grown from fresh seeds.(1) Germination rate of 96% reported.(2)

Site sensitivity

Tolerates most soils and moisture conditions.(1)

Research opportunities

Germination, seed storage and vegetative propagation needs further investigation.

Information about the native seed profiles

All species names are in the following order: scientific name, common name, and Māori name. Names may vary by region. We have tried to use the most common names across New Zealand.

We have sourced photos from different websites and creators. We have used the images under different licences. These include Public Domain and Creative Commons licenses. For Cordyline australis, the image details are:

The basis for each seed profile is a literature review carried out by Scion. Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service commissioned and worked on the review to produce a native seed catalogue. The full seed catalogue is on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website.

Native afforestation research programme: Seed propagation catalogue

References

1.

New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Cordyline australis. Accessed 17 October 2024.

2.

Burrows, C J (1995) Germination behaviour of seeds of the New Zealand species: Aristotelis serrata, Coprosma robusta, Cordyline australis, Myrtus obcordata, and Schefflera digitata. New Zealand Journal of Botany 33, 257–264.

3.

Metcalf, L J (1995) The propagation of New Zealand native plants. Godwit; Auckland, New Zealand.

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