In the far North Some C. australis trees have floppy, narrow leaves, which botanist Philip Simpson attributes to hybridisation with C. pumilio, the dwarf cabbage tree. Generally C. australis can grow up to 20 metres tall with a stout trunk and sword-like leaves, which are clustered at the tips of the branches and can be up to 1 metre long. In Northland ,C. australis shows a great deal of genetic diversity-suggesting it is where old genetic lines have endured. These changes which also occur due to altitude suggest an adaptations to colder weather. This colouration becomes increasingly common towards the south. Seedlings often have leaves with red-brown pigmentation which disappears in older plants. Another C obtecta is found on the off shore islands, the Three kings and Poor knightsĪ study of Cordyline australis seedlings grown from seed collected in 28 areas showed the further south you go seedling leaves get longer and narrower. The main cabbage trees on the Northland mainland is C. australis, C. New Zealand has five native species and although they are found in different regions and some interbreed. This has allowed time to adapt to the local climate, geology and other factors through out New Zealand. The seeds are also rich in linoleic acid as a food source for the developing embryo plant, a compound which is also important in the egg-laying cycle of birds.īy the end of summer a cabbage tree can have thousands of small fruits available for birds to eat and disperse.Ĭabbage trees have adapted through out New ZealandĬabbage trees arrived in New Zealand, from up north, 15 million years ago. The moths hide under dead leaves during the day and caterpillars eat the young leaves. These white berries are good food for birds like kererūĬabbage tree moth and their their caterpillars on cabbage trees. The white flowers are pollinated by these animals and then become fruit (berries). The cabbage tree plays a very important role in the forest for food and as a habitat for a wide range of birds, plants and insects.Ĭabbage tree flowers provide nectar for bees, flies, other insects and geckos. The Maori called this food 'kōuka' which is what gives the tree its Maori name - Ti Kōuka.Įuropeans used the plant to make alcohol, and the often fearsome brews was relished by whalers and sealers.Ĭabbage trees are an important source of food and habitat The cabbage tree was given its common name 'the cabbage tree' because it provided as source of food for Maori and early settlers. It died out as European food replaced the need for it It was unable to germinate in NZ and only survived in far the North in cultivation's. This is a spectacular forest to high montane dwelling species with rather broad, bluegrey leaves.Ĭordyline Fructicosa which has died out was brought over from the islands by the Maori as a food source. indivisa – From south Auckland, Great Barrier South the mountain cabbage tree or tōi, which is known from Great Barrier Island south to Stewart Island. kaspar – which in New Zealand is only known from the Three Kings, Murimotu and Poor Knights Island groups as well as a small area of North CapeĬ.
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