a tree, Cordyline australis, of New Zealand having a tall branchless trunk and a palmlike top
2.
any of several other similar trees of the genus Cordyline
cabbage tree in American English
noun
1.
any tropical tree or treelike plant having leaves or edible shoots suggestive of cabbage
2.
an Australian palm tree of the genus Livistona, esp L. australis
Word origin
[1715–25]This word is first recorded in the period 1715–25. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: blackleg, cowboy, leverage, portfolio, screening