CABBAGE-TREE

CABBAGE-TREE, noun The cabbage-palm, a species of Areca, the oleracea, a native of warm climates. This tree grows with a straight stem to the height of 170 or 200 feet. Its branches grow in a circular manner, and the lowermost ones spread horizontally with great regularity. The fibers of the leaves are used for making cordage and nets. On the top grows a substance called cabbage, lying in thin, snow-white, brittle flakes, in taste resembling an almond, but sweeter. This is boiled and eaten with flesh, like other vegetables. When this is cut out, the tree is destroyed.