NZ Cabbage Tree Flower

Cordyline australis, commonly known as the Cabbage tree and known to Maori as Ti Kouka.

Its not often we can view the flowers, as the tree can grow up to 20 metres in height and the flowers are found at the very top. They look stunning in pure white against the green flax type foliage. I was lucky and found a young tree with flowers at my height.

Flowering in  spring and early summer the sweetly perfumed flowers are produced in large, dense flower spikes 60-100cm long. The flowers are crowded along the branches of the panicles. The bracts which protect the developing flowers often have a distinct pink tinge before the flowers open. In South Canterbury and North Otago the bracts are green. In a good flowering season, a large tree may produce 1 million seeds.

I was amazed at the structure of the flower. Each one has a style tipped by a short stigma and anthers with pollen. Showers today gave us the added touch of raindrops.

A stroll for Mum and I, Mum had the umbrella and I had the camera - thanks Mum you did a great job keeping us dry :)

Quiet night here, Daughter A and Daughter E are off to see the latest Harry Potter movie and have some sisterly time together. Hubby will be working late and I will probably potter with a cuppa in hand - might have a quiet think about some Christmas planning.

Have a great evening :)