A genus of tropical and subtropical plants characterized by long, cord-like leaves and colorful foliage, commonly grown as ornamental houseplants and garden plants.
From Greek cordyl- (cord-like) and -line (from Greek linen, thread), referring to the characteristic cord-like appearance of the plant's leaves that give it thread-like or linear qualities.
Cordyline plants were living examples of Victorian plant obsession—colonizers sent explorers to tropical islands specifically to find and bring back cordylines, making them status symbols in 19th-century parlors as rare botanical treasures.
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