commonly known tree palm widely branched tree endemic new_zealand grows metres feet tall stout trunk sword like leaves tips branches metre feet long tall straight trunk dense rounded heads characteristic feature new_zealand landscape fruit favourite food source new_zealand native birds common wide range far north south absent probably introduced grows broad range habitats including forest margins river banks open places abundant near swamps largest known tree single trunk growing golden bay estimated years old stands metres feet tall metres feet base known tree source food particularly cultivated areas crops grow provided anchor ropes fishing lines rain hardy fast growing widely planted new_zealand gardens parks streets numerous available tree found large numbers island restoration projects trees planted grown ornamental tree countries mild maritime climates including parts upper west_coast united_states warmer parts british isles common names include palm palm hot tropical climates like queensland southeast_asia florida description grows metres feet tall stout trunk metres diameter flowers slender stem flowers typically appear years old spring right conditions reduce flowering age years north mast year flowering divides form branched crown leaves tips branches branch fork producing flowering stem pale dark grey bark persistent feels touch long narrow leaves sword shaped erect dark light green long wide base numerous parallel veins leaves grow crowded clusters ends branches slightly tips bend bases old thick indistinct fine nerves equal parallel upper lower leaf surfaces similar spring early summer flowers produced large dense flower spikes long bearing spaced somewhat crowded flowers axes flowers crowded ultimate branches protect developing flowers distinct pink flowers open south canterbury green individual flowers diameter free base length short fruit white diameter eaten birds attracts great numbers insects flowers large like covered soft bark metres feet long old plants grow vertically beneath ground serve anchor plant store form young thin walled storage cells grow layer called secondary regional diversity new_zealand native species relics influx tropical plants arrived north million years ago warm era evolved response local climate geology factors varies appearance place place variation alter overall appearance tree canopy shape branch size relative shape size leaves colour invisible adaptations resistance disease insect attack regional different named north central east west shows great deal genetic diversity suggesting old genetic lines endured trees far north narrow leaves botanist attributes dwarf tree eastern generally narrow straight dark green leaves trees broader leaves normal kings tree grows nearby islands like characteristics appear populations parts eastern coastline western form called grows young generally common young forests growing open massive trees numerous long thin branches relatively short broad leaves central volcanic plateau trees tall stout relatively stems large stiff straight leaves fine specimens found upper old trees leaves tend relatively broad leaves strongly suggesting adapted cold winters central plateau originated open country created lava volcanic ash trees type found northern found east valued narrow leaves source particularly tough strong leaf adaptation region hot dry summers parts trees particularly stiff leaves partially rolled leaf blades trees near contrast leaves hang tree bay trees broader leaves characteristics brought main divide gorge grow west main divide long broad leaves adaptation persistent westerly winds type occurs wellington extends modifications southern coast trees generally compact canopy broad straight leaves common form variable typical form grows little variation northern eastern coast foothills trees tend retain old dead leaves lending appearance climate extreme hot dry summers cold winters north west nelson defined soil exposure trees growing limestone stiff blue green leaves river flats trees tall narrow dark green leaves uneven canopy resemble trees coast far west trees robust broad bluish leaves forms extend west_coast forms growing moist fertile sheltered river valleys bluish forms prefer rocky slopes exposed force salt laden coastal winds trees gradually common south come end northern south coast type vigorous trees broad green leaves broad extend coast inland margins fed lakes vigorous young trees adapted cold winters south study grown seed collected areas showed north south change leaf shape dimensions leaves longer narrower southwards leaves red brown disappears older plants coloration increasingly common south changes shape leaves getting narrower robust north south lowland suggest adaptations colder weather taxonomy names collected sir lieutenant voyage pacific type locality named published entry sold particularly house plant market countries genus derives ancient greek word club reference enlarged underground stems species latin southern common tree attributed sources early settlers having young leaves substitute probably settlement new_zealand writing voyage round world events friday april refers page discovery related species true palm says central shoot tender tastes like little flavour tallest new_zealand native species slender sweeping trunk handsome plant trunk metres feet tall bearing massive head broad leaves metres feet long far north new_zealand distinguished larger heavily branched tree form narrower leaves smaller seeds kings tree closest relative variable forms northern offshore islands hybrids hybrids occur plants close vicinity flower time share number tree known scientific discovery generic language term plants genus names recorded specific include awe tribe names tree depending local uses characteristics simpson reports names highlight characteristics tree important include plant looked like large tree flowers leaves broad twisted edges names refer uses fruit attracted birds leaves particularly suitable making ropes nets widely refers use leaf hearts food ecology habitat quote sums wide range habitats tree occupied early new_zealand abundance distinctive form shaped impression travellers received country new_zealand trees occupied range habitats open moist fertile warm establish mature forest rocky coast lowland swamps lakes lower rivers isolated rocks approaching land sea reminded traveller home european traveller images tropical pacific occurs south common reaches southernmost natural limits sandy point west near absent probably suitable habitat unknown islands south new_zealand probably cold occurs offshore islands poor knights stewart probably introduced region rare growing certain islands settlement sites introduced collectors largely notable generally lowland species grows sea level metres feet reaching upper limits central created open spaces exploit foothills played giving room grow central evolved form called branches bearing broad straight upright leaves form resembles found far south suggesting adapted cold conditions light demanding pioneer species die trees grow young plants require open space shaded vegetation requirement water stage adult trees store water drought resistant need good supply water survive stops species growing sand dunes wet depressions present area fertility soil factor settlers canterbury presence species gardens fallen leaves tree help raise fertility soil break factor temperature especially degree frost young trees killed frost old trees cut absent areas inland areas early european explorers new_zealand described trees banks streams rivers huge swamps lowland valleys examples abundance survive today areas cleared farmers looking flat land fertile soil modern new_zealand trees usually grow isolated individuals parts healthy ecosystem reproduction tree year begins autumn tight spike leaves projecting centre leaves growing tips changed making leaves producing coming spring begin produce leaves leaf pass winter protected spike leaves months later spring early summer bears flowers outside tree exposed insects birds flowering takes place period weeks giving maximum exposure insects flowers produce sweet attracts large numbers insects produced flowers contains compounds mainly particularly attractive bees use produce light honey feed young increase size early summer takes months fruit end summer tree thousands small fruits available birds eat disperse strong framework easily bear weight heavy birds like new_zealand major seeds fruit contains shiny black seeds coated like substance called serve protect seeds digestive process gut bird seeds rich acid food source developing embryo plant compound important egg laying cycle birds takes years particular stem produce trees tend flower heavily alternative years flowering years bears flowers large carry seeds million seeds tree good flowering year hundreds millions healthy grove trees response fire new_zealand forest trees recover fire renew trunk protected ground gives tree advantage quickly fire eliminated competing plants tree leaves contain burn readily slow decay fallen leaves build dense mat prevents seeds plants leaves break form fertile soil tree tree seed store oil means remains viable years cleared land vegetation tree seeds great numbers light space opened flames older trees grow shoots directly storm damage aerial produced trunk damage hollow grow soil plant regeneration lead trees great age multiple biodiversity plants animals associated healthy ecosystems common old trees carry large climbing moist places kidney branches species establish main fork tree tree host species native common include range fungi fungus species living tissue occur exclusively animals birds associated include forage flowers including gold striped life leaves tree new_zealand like nest dead leaves flower paradise commonly build nests base old tree standing middle field red crowned seen foraging trees long tailed bats shelter day hollow branches provided nesting holes birds enjoyed planted trees attract came eat life new_zealand years earlier describes grove trees attract huge numbers miles house great preserve wood native chiefs certain season came vast flocks feed white tree sic got heavy fat hardly fly tree gun allowed place long slender rod slip end leaves slipped stupid feeding native birds vanished new_zealand clearing forests flocks descend fruit sought insects leaves rough bark provide excellent homes insects small beetles larvae eaten birds rough bark provides opportunities grow hide dead leaves coming drink eat insects good flowering seasons occur years said dry summers observed tend follow dry seasons insects including beetles flies use bark leaves flowers tree ways feed hide skirt dead leaves favourite dry place hide winter insect companions followed surroundings parks home gardens leaves left decay soil underneath trees black supports rich array species insect found best known tree perfectly adapted hide dead leaf eat large holes leaves lays eggs base central spike leaves eat holes surface leaves leave characteristic leaf margins young trees seldom damage older trees lack skirt dead leaves parent like hide threats diseases cases sick dying trees reported northern syndrome eventually called soon reached epidemic proportions affected trees usually suffer total months foliage turns yellow oldest leaves fall growth leaves eventually leaves fall leaving dead branches dried flowering attached time bark trunk loose easily greatest number dead trees percent recorded years cause disease unknown included tree fungi environmental factors increase ultra violet light hypothesis genetic problem induced thousands trees brought area planted gardens parks native plant nursery central grow plants use parks reserves parks trees central growing flowering metres natural forms offspring produced poorly adapted local conditions nearly years work scientists found cause spread tree tree tiny insect introduced passion vine populations parts new_zealand areas particularly north big trees left affects trees farmland open areas trees natural forest patches continue trees southern northern generally unaffected dead branches symptoms evidence suggest severity disease rural decline plight epidemic drew attention widespread threat tree rural areas new_zealand proposed refer decline health older trees pasture leading years loss upper branches eventual death farmers leave solitary tree trees standing swamps drained trees slowly die livestock eat damage roots adult trees tree shade field stock shelter underneath damaging bark soil tree cows sheep goats deer eat tissue bark trees trunk damaged animals seldom wounds bigger time eventually tissue centre stem away cavity forms entire length trunk completely ring metre ground growth layer dies injuries lead fungal spread branches canopy begins die factors thought contribute include wood rotting fungi like micro organisms cause saprobic decay leaf feeding mammals destructive tend eat leaves tree fond eating sugar rich flowering emerge like tree sleeping place rabbits destructive especially periods drought seen eat base tree falls eating fallen tree completely horses fell tree eating trunk cultural uses traditional times rich knowledge tree including spiritual ecological practical aspects use specialised knowledge lost european settlement new_zealand use tree food medicine persisted use weaving common food stems high natural steam cooked earth large type produce rich food foods growing tips leaf hearts stripped leaves eaten raw cooked vegetable called origin tree southern limit sweet potato cultivation south culture developed natural planted tree harvested large parties trimmed cut stems left dry days weeks stems extensions trunk surface ground shaped like enormous dug cooked early 1840s said preferred trees growing deep rich soil dug spring early summer flowering plant november favourite month preparing drying harvested stems steamed hours pit steaming converted stems sweet cooked stems beating carried villages storage stored dry time came add root foods improve sugar stems partially found mixed pulp matter root easily separated tearing apart water said smell taste like evidence large cooking pits found hills large trees stand europeans plant alcohol growing tip plant eaten raw medicine cooked called spike leaves outer leaves firmly base bent snap leaves removed remains like small heart steamed boiled bitter vegetable available time year delicious foods like modern times pork beef different trees selected degree bitterness strong medicinal use vegetable tough extracted leaves valued strength especially leaves making anchor ropes lines cooking protection travelling high country home swings provided source amusement children ropes strong leaves tougher new_zealand leaves rain mountain tree preferred tree leaves stronger new_zealand medicine parts treat injuries illnesses boiled drink paste growing tip plant eaten raw blood juice leaves cuts cracks leaves taken internally externally bathing cuts leaves soft applied directly cuts skin cracks cracked sore hands young shoot eaten nursing mothers given children liquid boiled shoots taken stomach pains seeds high acid essential cultivation today widely cultivated new_zealand native trees popular ornamental tree europe great_britain united_states hardy forms areas southern inland tolerate conditions best forms tender easily grown fresh seed spontaneously appear gardens bird dispersed seed grown easily shoot stem trunk grows far north western coast scotland including village common ireland grown island palm locally named palm palm palm extensive use official symbol area tourist posters promoting grows spain italy japan natural distribution ranges despite ultimately tropical origins grows degrees norway latitude protected arctic winds cultivated selected forms food called grown readily forms multiple dwarf non flowering selection stem thick green leaves recorded early rediscovered 1990s grown recent unpublished dna work suggests derives central subject intense discussion leading new_zealand meeting wellington years ago saved extinction dwarf form found favour came known recording interest plant origin selection forgotten rediscovered equivalent indicates traditional belief plant introduced ancestral probable arose moved native land plant numerous sold new_zealand world like species produce sports attractive including pink stripes leaves shades green yellow red early published france england described having leaves brownish red spots early included crimson bronze leaves infused red purple leaves range forms new_zealand overseas hybrids species feature prominently range available new plymouth plant breeders duncan davies included hybrids catalogue produced new new_zealand coloured forms hybrids susceptible attacks tree immature forms popular annual house ornamental plant spikes spikes add confusion hardy zones cultivation united_kingdom gained
Cordyline australis