Dracaena (plant)

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Dracaena is a genus of about 200–220 species of trees and succulent shrubs.<ref name="POWO">Template:Cite POWO</ref> The formerly accepted genera Pleomele and Sansevieria are now included in Dracaena.<ref name="POWO"/><ref name="SystBot">Template:Cite journal</ref> In the APG IV classification system, it is placed in the family Asparagaceae,Template:Sfn subfamily Convallarioideae (formerly the family Ruscaceae).Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn It has also formerly been separated (sometimes with Cordyline) into the family Dracaenaceae or kept in the Agavaceae (now Agavoideae).

The name dracaena is derived from the Latinised form of the Ancient Greek Template:Lang – drakaina, "female dragon".<ref>Merriam-Webster Dictionary</ref>

The Plants of the World Online database accepts 214 species Template:As of.<ref name="POWO"/> The majority of the species are native to Africa (including the Canary Islands and Socotra), southern Asia, and northern Australia, but also seven species in Hawai'i, and two in tropical Central America.<ref name="POWO"/>

Description

Dracaena species can have two growth types: arborescent (tree- or shrub-like) dracaenas (e.g. Dracaena cinnabari, Dracaena draco, Dracaena fragrans), which have stout above-ground stems to around 20 metres tall that branch from nodes after flowering, or if the growth tip is severed; and rhizomatous dracaenas (e.g. Dracaena trifasciata, Dracaena angolensis), which have underground rhizomes and leaves on the surface, ranging from straplike to cylindrical.<ref name="SystBot"/><ref name="RHSD">Template:Cite book</ref>

The arborescent species of Dracaena have a secondary thickening meristem in their trunks,<ref name="BotRev">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="BJB">Template:Cite journal</ref> termed Dracaenoid thickening by some authors,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which is quite different from the thickening meristem found in dicotyledonous plants. This characteristic is shared with some members of the Agavoideae, Lomandroideae, and Xanthorrhoeoideae among other members of the Asparagales.<ref name="BotRev"/>

Many species of Dracaena are kept as houseplants due to tolerance of low light and sparse watering.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Selected species

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Formerly regarded as Dracaena

Uses

Ornamental

Some shrubby species, such as D. fragrans, D. surculosa, D. marginata, and D. sanderiana, are popular as houseplants. Many of these are toxic to pets, though not humans, according to the ASPCA among others. Rooted stem cuttings of D. sanderiana are sold as "lucky bamboo", although only superficially resembling true bamboos.

Dracaena houseplants like humidity and moderate watering. They can tolerate periods of drought but the tips of the leaves may turn brown.<ref name="Peerless">Template:Cite book</ref> Leaves at the base will naturally yellow and drop off, leaving growth at the top and a bare stem.<ref name="Peerless" /> Dracaena are vulnerable to mealybugs and scale insects.<ref name="Peerless" />

Other

A naturally occurring bright red resin, dragon's blood, is collected from D. draco and, in ancient times, from D. cinnabari. Modern dragon's blood is, however, more likely to be from the unrelated Calamus rattan palms, formerly placed in Daemonorops.Template:Efn It also has social functions in marking graves, sacred sites, and farm plots in many African societies.Template:Sfn

References

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Further reading

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