This cordyline has leaves that are amazingly strong – they can be easily split with a fingernail or needle and used as thread in a coil weave, or as a core fibre. The flatness of the leaves are conducive to flat weave experiments, but I can’t say I’ve tried that yet. Even though the fibre is strong enough to use when green, it’s best to dry the fibre -out of the elements – and then soak it overnight and wrap it in a damp towel before using. I love the linear strength of this fibre…
And yes it’s called cordyline Australis, but no, it’s not native to Australia. It’s from New Zealand. Figure that.
Weavery
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Thanks John!
What variety of Cordyline are you using ?
I have two different types in my yard and both are very hard, when dry they are not flat and do not respond to an overnight soak.
Hi! I use Cordyline Australis mainly. It has longer leaves and a lovely texture. You can split off the outer edges from the harder core and use those as they are softer, though the core, or ‘backbone’, is useful for spines in a twist weave basket. Not sure what varieties you are using, but I’ve found most cordylines are useful, though they are a flattish leaf, the edges can/do curl inwards when they dry, if not split linearly.