Cordyline stricta - Narrow-leaved Palm Lily
Cordyline stricta is commonly known as the Slender Palm Lily or Narrow-leaved Palm Lily. It is neither a palm nor a lily but a member of the Asparagus family and grows naturally in rainforest and wet eucalypt forests in the Port Macquarie region. It is a hardy shrub, 3-4m tall and has upright stems with long strappy leaves. Sprays of purple to white flowers in late Spring and early Summer are followed by dark bird-attracting berries. It prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil in part shade.
This is the most commonly cultivated Australian species and is adaptable in a range of climates but may become damaged in colder areas. It prefers moist soil in semi-shade but is tolerant of extended dry conditions once established. When small, it makes an excellent container plant and can be kept indoors for long periods.
Cordyline Stricta or Narrow-leaved Palm Lily can be found from the southern border of Queensland to the Sydney region, but it has become naturalised in Victoria and possibly South Australia. It grows in rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, with dark, moist gullies being the preferred habitats.
Distribution
Found in open forests and rainforests of north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland. the Narrow-leaved Palm Lily has a mostly coastal and coastal-hinterland distribution in NSW, and extends inland as far west as south-east of Armidale, Dorrigo and Gibraltar Range National Park and south-east of Tenterfield.
Landcare nursery
To maintain a neat appearance, remove old leaves and cut stems to ground level. Stems will regrow healthier than ever. Cordyline stricta is generally available to purchase at the Landcare Nursery. www.landcareportmac.com.au
References:
Australian National Botanic Gardens. (n.d.). Australian National Botanic Gardens website. https://www.anbg.gov.au/
Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). (n.d.). Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) website. https://anpsa.org.au/
