Cordyline banksii aka Ti Ngahere

Cordyline banksii, also known as the Forest Cabbage Tree or tī ngahere, is a monocot tree endemic to New Zealand. It is a graceful, evergreen, multi-stemmed, palm-like tree or shrub with long, upright, pointed leaves. The foliage is variegated with reddish-brown central stripes and creamy-yellow margins. This tree is found in coastal and lowland scrub, rocky banks, dense bush, and bush margins, as well as on higher forested slopes up to 1000m elevation. While not rare, it is not frequently seen in the wild, making a chance encounter with Cordyline banksii a joy for those exploring the New Zealand bush. In cultivation, it is relatively rare and less well-known compared to the more familiar Cordyline australis. The leaves of Cordyline banksii are longer and broader in the middle section, tapering at both ends, with a distinctive midrib. They are held in a graceful arching manner, giving them a less spiky and more tropical appearance. While younger plants have a wider spread due to longer leaf spans, the overall plant is smaller and more delicate, with slender trunks that are less robust than Cordyline australis. Multiple stems are typical, although single stems can also be seen.