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Dracaena (plant)

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Dracaena (Template:IPAc-en<ref name="SunsetBooks1995" />) is a genus of about 200 species of trees and succulent shrubs.<ref name="plantsoftheworldonline.org" /> The formerly accepted genera Pleomele and Sansevieria are now included in Dracaena. In the APG IV classification system, it is placed in the family Asparagaceae,Template:Sfn subfamily Nolinoideae (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 romanized form of the Ancient Greek {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} – drakaina, "female dragon".<ref>Merriam-Webster Dictionary</ref>

The majority of the species are native to Africa and the Canary Islands, southern Asia through to northern Australia, with two species in tropical Central America.

DescriptionEdit

Species of Dracaena have a secondary thickening meristem in their trunk, termed Dracaenoid thickening by some authors,Template:Citation needed which is quite different from the thickening meristem found in dicotyledonous plants. This characteristic is shared with members of the Agavoideae and Xanthorrhoeoideae among other members of the Asparagales.

Dracaena species can be identified in two growth types: treelike dracaenas (Dracaena fragrans, Dracaena draco, Dracaena cinnabari), which have aboveground stems that branch from nodes after flowering, or if the growth tip is severed, and rhizomatous dracaenas (Dracaena trifasciata, Dracaena angolensis), which have underground rhizomes and leaves on the surface (ranging from straplike to cylindrical).Template:Citation needed

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

Selected speciesEdit

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Formerly regarded as dracaenaEdit

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UsesEdit

OrnamentalEdit

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" />

OtherEdit

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

GalleryEdit

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NotesEdit

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CitationsEdit

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SourcesEdit

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Further readingEdit

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External linksEdit

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