Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Norfolk Island cordyline (Cordyline obtecta), 1790s

Norfolk Island cordyline (Cordyline obtecta), 1790s

Dixson Library, State Library of NSW; Bequest of Sir William Dixson, 1952; DL PXX 1, Series 01, f. 4

Watercolour

Norfolk Island cordylines are native plants to Norfolk Island and northern New Zealand.
The Norfolk Island cordyline is a cabbage tree that grows up to 10 m tall with a trunk 20–30 cm in diameter.
The Norfolk Island cordyline is currently listed as a vulnerable plant.
Norfolk Island cordylines have leaves up to one metre long, strongly scented flowers and white or purple berries.
The Norfolk Island cordyline’s species name obtecta comes from the Latin obtegere, meaning to cover up. This relates to the way the flower spike is concealed by the leaves of the plant.
Norfolk Island cordylines are also called Norfolk Island cabbage trees and Three Kings cabbage trees.