Cussonia spicata - Cabbage Tree

Cussonia spicata, commonly known as "Cabbage Tree" by English speakers, is a tree native to Southern Africa, unique and ornamental, renowned for its drought resistance. Its silhouette is distinctive, with a swollen trunk and leaves arranged in a parasol at the end of thick branches. With its lush foliage and curious spike-like flowering, it thrives in exotic or Mediterranean gardens, as well as in containers. It is a tender plant that can be grown in the ground in coastal gardens where frosts are rare and mild.

Cussonia spicata belongs to the Araliaceae family, closely related to Aralia elata. This botanical species is native to the dry regions of sub-Saharan Africa, from South Africa to Zimbabwe, where it thrives in savannas and on rocky outcrops. In its natural habitat, it grows into a tree reaching between 10 and 15 m in height. When planted in coastal gardens, it can reach heights of 6 to 10 m with a spread of 3 to 5 m. In containers, the plant remains smaller, typically reaching heights of 2 to 3 m.

Spike Cussonia often develops a swollen trunk at the base, storing water during dry periods. The bark is greyish on young branches, yellowish and deeply fissured on the trunk and older branches. The foliage is evergreen or semi-deciduous depending on the climate. The leaves are clustered at the end of thick branches, forming a dense, rounded crown. These are very large leaves, measuring up to 70 cm in diameter, borne on petioles 40 to 60 cm long. They are glossy, ranging from grey-green to bluish-green. Each palmate leaf consists of 5 to 9 lobes, 20 to 35 cm long, irregularly and deeply incised. The leaflets are 6 to 15 cm long and 4 cm wide, with dentate margins. Youthful foliage has a different appearance, with entire or weakly cut leaves. This plant produces upright cylindrical spike inflorescences, grouped in 8 to 12, resembling candelabras at the end of branches. Each spike, up to 20 cm long, comprises numerous small greenish-yellow flowers with a slightly unpleasant scent. This flowering occurs from spring to autumn depending on the climate, on mature plants. After pollination, small ovoid fruits develop, turning purple to black when ripe, measuring 5 to 6 mm in diameter. They are appreciated by some birds. Cussonia spicata is hardy to around -5 °C once mature and in a dry soil. Its growth is rapid, especially in warm, sunny conditions. Its root system is shallow and highly aggressive; when planting in the ground, it should be placed away from walls, fences, sewer lines, etc.

In favourable climates, Cussonia spicata is perfect for creating a focal point in a dry garden or large rockery due to its unique architectural habit. It adapts well to container culture for decorating terraces and balconies. In winter, it can find refuge in a lightly heated conservatory with Baobabs. In the garden, pair it with Agave americana, Yucca gloriosa, Opuntias and Dasylirions that share similar requirements in terms of soil and exposure.