Cordyline stricta

(Sims) Endl.

Narrow-leaved palm lily

Asparagaceae Edible: Fruit, Rhizome, Root 1,457 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Cordyline stricta, known as the slender palm lily or narrow-leaved palm lily, is an evergreen Australian plant. A shrub to 5 metres tall found in wet sclerophyll forest and rainforest, usually on the coastal lowlands. From near Bilpin, New South Wales further north to Queensland. C. stricta has become naturalised in Victoria.

Description

A tall herb with slender stems. It grows 1.8-4.5 m high. It can be 1-2 m across. It forms spreading clumps. There are rhizomes under the ground. The leaves are narrow and sword shaped. They hang downwards. The edges have teeth. The leaves are 20-60 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. The flowers are purple or violet. The are shaped like tubes at the base. They are 0.8-1 cm long. They are borne in panicles 30-70 cm long. They hang down in long sprays. The fruit are berries. They are purple or black. They are round and 0.3-0.5 cm across.

Edible Uses

The fruit, rhizome, and roots are edible.

Distribution

It can tolerate dark conditions for a long time. It grows in temperate to tropical conditions. It needs well drained soil. It does best in light shade. It can stand light frosts. Melbourne Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. Arboretum Tasmania.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia*, Indonesia, SE Asia, Slovenia, Tasmania,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed, dividing the rhizome or stem cuttings.

Notes

There are 15-20 Cordyline species. Also put in the family Laxmanniaceae.

Also Known As

Angond lili daun kurus, Erect palm-lily, Slender palm lily

References (20)

Ann. Wiener Mus. Naturgesch. 1:162. 1836
Blomberry, A.M., 1979, Australian Native Plants. Angus and Robertson p 90
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 281
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 194
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 412

Show all 20 references

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Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 94
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Yallakool Reserve Plant List July 1, 2009 Off internet