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what is this tree and what the heck is growing out of the top???

15 years ago

Hi Folks,

When we moved into our house 5 years ago, my mum bought us this plant. It was about 3ft tall when we got it with a trunk diameter of about 1 1/2 inches. Now its about 8ft tall and a trunk of about 5 inches.

My wife and I were sitting this morning having our cup of coffee when Carol noticed this object growing out of the top of the tree. We have never seen this before, never had anything else to grow in the canopy of the tree except for the standard fronds. We dont know the name of the tree as it was a gift and the tag of the plant has long since departed.

Is this growth going to be a flower? A seed head? Should I chop it off??

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u194/Blagadain/treepenis.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u194/Blagadain/treepenis1.jpg

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Comment (1)

pineresin
15 years ago
A species of Cordyline. The thing growing out of it is the flower stem; you can keep it.

You will probably find that the stem will branch after the flowering is finished. Old plants become much-branched, as in the pic below

Resin

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:355516}}
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