296 CORDYLINE AUSTRALIS. 
when expanded : it consists of six narrow leaves, which are united for about one- 
fifth of their length above the base: each carries a single stamen: the ovary is 
three-celled, with a short straight style. The fruit is a spherical white berry 
containing several angular black seeds. 
PROPERTIES AND USEs. 
The leaves of this plant afford a paper-making material of very high value. 
Samples sent to England about a quarter of a century ago were worked up at 
one of the largest mills and received high praise; but at that time the excessive 
cost of land-carriage and the high rates of sea-freight prevented exportation. 
Probably they might be exported at a profit under the more favourable con- 
ditions now prevailing, but in any case they could be utilised in the local 
manufactories, as they could be readily procured in large quantity. The wood 
appears to be of value for the same purpose, but, so far as | am aware, its exact 
value has not been ascertained. The leaves afford a valuable fibre for the 
manufacture of string and cordage, &c. 
The berries form a favourite food of the wood-pigeon and other birds, It is 
a valuable plant for the shrubbery and for ornamental plantations, as it forms a 
fine contrast with ordinary trees and gives a tropical aspect to the scene. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS. 
Cordyline comprises about twelve species, distributed through the West India 
Islands, the Malay Archipelago, the Pacific Islands, and Brazil: four species 
are found in Australia, and six in New Zealand. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 
Cordyline australis extends from the North Cape district to Stewart Island, 
where, however, it is now extremely rare. Although most abundant in lowland 
situations, it ascends from the sea-level to 2,500ft. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Cordyline australis, Hook. f. 
Dracena australis, Forster. 
A tree, 20ft. to 6oft. high, with a straight erect trunk and round head, or 
branched from the base; lower part of the branches naked or clothed with the 
dead pendulous leaves. Leaves forming spreading heads at the tips of the 
branches, ensiform, rft, to 24ft. long and tin. to 2in. broad, with numerous fine 
parallel veins, contracted above the broad base, acute, firm; mid-rib indistinct. 
Flowers in large terminal panicles, erect or drooping, 1ft. to 13ft. in diameter, 
excessively branched, bracteate. Flowers shortly pedicelled, with three one- 
nerved scarious bracts at the base of the pedicel; perianth superior, $in. in 
diameter, of six linear spreading leaves united at the base; stamens, six, inserted 
on the perianth; ovary three-celled. Fruit a globose berry, white, three-celled ; 
seeds, several, black, angular. 
EXPLANATION OF PratE CXLI, 
Cordyline australis, Hook. f. Leaf and branch of a flowering panicle, 
natural size. 
