''Dracaena'' () is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...

of about 120

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of ...

tree In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth, plants that are ...

s and succulent shrubs. The formerly accepted genera ''

Pleomele Pleomele is used a common name for several cultivated ornamental plants and may refer to: * Species of ''Pleomele'' (genus), a former plant genus in the family Ruscaceae now included in '' Dracaena'' * '' Dracaena reflexa'' (pleomele), a widely ...

'' and ''

Sansevieria ''Sansevieria'' is a historically recognized genus of flowering plants, native to Africa, notably Madagascar, and southern Asia, now included in the genus '' Dracaena'' on the basis of molecular phylogenetic studies. Common names for the 70 or s ...

'' are now included in ''Dracaena''. In the APG IV classification system, it is placed in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Asparagaceae Asparagaceae, known as the asparagus family, is a family of flowering plants, placed in the order Asparagales of the monocots. The family name is based on the edible garden asparagus, '' Asparagus officinalis''. Those who live in the temperate ...

, subfamily

Nolinoideae Nolinoideae is a monocot subfamily of the family Asparagaceae in the APG III system of 2009. It used to be treated as a separate family, Ruscaceae s.l. The family name is derived from the generic name of the type genus, ''Nolina''. The subfamil ...

(formerly the family Ruscaceae). It has also formerly been separated (sometimes with ''

Cordyline ''Cordyline'' is a genus of about 15 species of woody monocotyledonous flowering plants in family Asparagaceae, subfamily Lomandroideae. The subfamily has previously been treated as a separate family Laxmanniaceae, or Lomandraceae. Other aut ...

'') into the family Dracaenaceae or placed in the Agavaceae (now

Agavoideae Agavoideae is a subfamily of monocot flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, order Asparagales. It has previously been treated as a separate family, Agavaceae. The group includes many well-known desert and dry-zone types, such as the agave ...

). The name ''dracaena'' is derived from the romanized form of the

Ancient Greek Ancient Greek includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (), Dark Ages (), the Archaic p ...

– ''drakaina'', "female dragon". The majority of the species are

native Native may refer to: People * Jus soli, citizenship by right of birth * Indigenous peoples, peoples with a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory ** Native Americans (disambiguation) In arts and enterta ...

to Africa, southern Asia through to northern Australia, with two species in tropical Central America.

Description

Species of ''Dracaena'' have a secondary thickening

meristem The meristem is a type of tissue found in plants. It consists of undifferentiated cells (meristematic cells) capable of cell division. Cells in the meristem can develop into all the other tissues and organs that occur in plants. These cells conti ...

in their trunk, termed Dracaenoid thickening by some authors, which is quite different from the thickening meristem found in

dicot The dicotyledons, also known as dicots (or, more rarely, dicotyls), are one of the two groups into which all the flowering plants (angiosperms) were formerly divided. The name refers to one of the typical characteristics of the group: namely, t ...

yledonous plants. This characteristic is shared with members of the

and Xanthorrhoeoideae among other members of the

Asparagales Asparagales (asparagoid lilies) is an order of plants in modern classification systems such as the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) and the Angiosperm Phylogeny Web. The order takes its name from the type family Asparagaceae and is placed in t ...

. ''Dracaena'' species can be classified in two growth types: treelike dracaenas (''

Dracaena fragrans ''Dracaena fragrans'' (cornstalk dracaena), is a flowering plant species that is native throughout tropical Africa, from Sudan south to Mozambique, west to Côte d'Ivoire and southwest to Angola, growing in upland regions at altitude.JSTOR Plan ...

'', ''

Dracaena draco ''Dracaena draco'', the Canary Islands dragon tree or drago, is a subtropical tree in the genus '' Dracaena'', native to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira, western Morocco, and is thought to be introduced in the Azores. Its closest livi ...

'', ''

Dracaena cinnabari ''Dracaena cinnabari'', the Socotra dragon tree or dragon blood tree, is a dragon tree native to the Socotra archipelago, part of Yemen, located in the Arabian Sea. It is named after the blood-like color of the red sap that the trees produce. ...

''), 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 In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (; , ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow hori ...

and leaves on the surface (ranging from straplike to cylindrical). Many species of ''Dracaena'' are kept as houseplants due to tolerance of lower light and sparse watering. File:Socotra dragon tree.JPG, ''

'' File:Dracaena draco (L.) L.jpg , ''

'' File:Dracaena ellenbeckiana - Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo - Gran Canaria.jpg, ''

Dracaena ellenbeckiana ''Dracaena ellenbeckiana'' is a species of plant belonging to the Asparagaceae family, subfamily Nolinoideae Nolinoideae is a monocot subfamily of the family Asparagaceae in the APG III system of 2009. It used to be treated as a separate famil ...

'' File:Colpfl26.jpg, ''

'' File:Dracaena reflexa.JPG, ''

Dracaena reflexa ''Dracaena reflexa'' (commonly called song of India or song of Jamaica) is a tree native to Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, and other nearby islands of the Indian Ocean. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant and houseplant, valued for its ...

'' File:LuckyBamboo 2005 SeanMcClean.jpg, '' Dracaena sanderiana'' File:Dracaena surculosa.jpg, '' Dracaena surculosa'' File:Dracaena tamaranae1.jpg, ''

Dracaena tamaranae ''Dracaena tamaranae'', or drago de Gran Canaria, is a species of endemic plants of the island of Gran Canaria, related to the dragon tree, ''Dracaena draco'', and other species of '' Dracaena'' from East Africa Africa is the world's s ...

'' - native to

Gran Canaria Gran Canaria (, ; ), also Grand Canary Island, is the third-largest and second-most-populous island of the Canary Islands, an archipelago off the Atlantic coast of Northwest Africa which is part of Spain. the island had a population of that co ...

File:Snake_Plant_(Sansevieria_trifasciata)_with_fruit_1.jpg , '' Dracaena trifasciata''

Species

Plants of the World Online Plants of the World Online (POWO) is an online database published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It was launched in March 2017 with the ultimate aim being "to enable users to access information on all the world's known seed-bearing plants ...

'' currently includes: * '' Dracaena acaulis'' Baker * ''

Dracaena acutissima Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Hua * ''

Dracaena adamii Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Hepper * '' Dracaena aethiopica'' (Thunb.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena afromontana'' Mildbr. * '' Dracaena aletriformis'' (Haw.) Bos (

syn. The Botanical and Zoological Codes of nomenclature treat the concept of synonymy differently. * In botanical nomenclature, a synonym is a scientific name that applies to a taxon that (now) goes by a different scientific name. For example, Linna ...

''D. latifolia'') * ''

Dracaena americana ''Dracaena americana'', the Central American dragon tree or candlewood, is a neotropical tree in the genus '' Dracaena'', native to southern Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica, and Colombia. It is one of only two ''Dracaena' ...

'' Donn.Sm. – Central America dragon tree * '' Dracaena angolensis'' (Welw. ex Carrière) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena angustifolia ''Dracaena angustifolia'' is a species of Asian tropical forest under-storey plants in the family Asparagaceae; no subspecies are listed in the Catalogue of Life. Distribution and Description The native range of this species is from Bangladesh ...

'' (Medik.) Roxb. (

''D. australasica'', ''D. ensiformis'', ''D. fruticosa'', ''D. linearifolia'', ''D. menglaensis'') * ''

Dracaena arborea ''Dracaena arborea'', the tree dracaena, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to western and west-central wet tropical Africa. It is used as a street tree in a number of African and Brazilian cities. Description ...

'' (Willd.) Link * '' Dracaena arborescens'' (Cornu ex Gérôme & Labroy) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena ascendens'' (L.E.Newton) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena aubryana'' Brongn. ex É.Morren (

''D. thalioides'') * '' Dracaena aubrytiana'' (Carrière) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena aurea ''Dracaena aurea'', the golden hala pepe, is a species of flowering plant that is endemic to the island of Kauai in Hawaii. It inhabits coastal mesic and mixed mesic forests at elevations of . It is a small evergreen tree, usually tall, but ...

'' H.Mann * ''

Dracaena bacularis Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Pfennig ex A.Butler & Jankalski) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena bagamoyensis'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena ballyi Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (L.E.Newton) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena bhitalae Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Webb & Newton) Takaw.-Ny. & Mucina * '' Dracaena bicolor'' Hook. * '' Dracaena borneensis'' (Merr.) Jankalski * ''

Dracaena brachyphylla Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Kurz * '' Dracaena braunii'' Engl. (

''D. litoralis'') * '' Dracaena breviflora'' Ridl. * '' Dracaena bueana'' Engl. * ''

Dracaena bugandana Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena bukedea Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Takaw.-Ny. & Mucina * '' Dracaena burdettii'' (Chahin.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena burmanica'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena bushii'' Damen * '' Dracaena calocephala'' Bos * ''

Dracaena cambodiana Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Pierre ex Gagnep. * '' Dracaena camerooniana'' Baker * ''

Dracaena canaliculata Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Carrière) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena cantleyi Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Baker * ''

Dracaena caulescens Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena cerasifera'' Hua * '' Dracaena chahinianii'' (Webb & Myklebust) Takaw.-Ny. & Mucina * '' Dracaena chiniana'' I.M.Turner * '' Dracaena cincta'' Baker * ''

'' Balf.f. – Socotra dragon tree * '' Dracaena cochinchinensis'' (Lour.) S.C.Chen (

''D. loureiroi'') * ''

Dracaena concinna Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Kunth * ''

Dracaena conferta Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Ridl. * ''

Dracaena congoensis Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Hua * ''

Dracaena conspicua Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena cristula'' W.Bull * ''

Dracaena cubensis Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Vict. * '' Dracaena curtisii'' Ridl. * ''

Dracaena cuspidata Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Ridl. * ''

Dracaena dawei Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Stapf) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena deremensis'' (L.) Ker Gawl. (syn. ''D. fragrans'') – striped dracaena, compact dracaena, corn plant, cornstalk dracaena * ''

Dracaena dhofarica Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (T.A.McCoy & Lavranos) Takaw.-Ny. & Mucina * '' Dracaena dooneri'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena downsii Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Chahin.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

'' (L.) L. – Canary Islands dragon tree * '' Dracaena dumetescens'' (L.E.Newton) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena ebracteata Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Cav.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena eilensis'' (Chahin.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

'' Engl. - Kedong Dracaena (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda) * '' Dracaena elliptica'' Thunb. & Dalm. (

''D. gracilis'', ''D. javanica'', ''D. maculata'') * ''

Dracaena erythraeae Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Mattei) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena fasciata'' (Cornu ex Gérôme & Labroy) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena fernaldii'' (H.St.John) Jankalski * '' Dracaena finlaysonii'' Baker * ''

Dracaena floribunda Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Baker * ''

Dracaena fontanesiana Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Schult. & Schult.f. * '' Dracaena forbesii'' (O.Deg.) Jankalski * ''

Dracaena forskaliana Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Schult. & Schult.f.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

'' (L.) Ker Gawl. (syn. ''D. deremensis'') – striped dracaena, compact dracaena, corn plant, cornstalk dracaena * ''

Dracaena francisii Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Chahin.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena frequens Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Chahin.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena glomerata Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Baker * '' Dracaena goldieana'' Bullen ex Mast. & T.Moore * '' Dracaena gracillima'' (Chahin.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena granulata'' Hook.f. * ''

Dracaena griffithii Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Regel * '' Dracaena haemanthoides'' Bos ex Damen * '' Dracaena halapepe'' (H.St.John) Jankalski * '' Dracaena halemanuensis'' Jankalski * ''

Dracaena hallii ''Dracaena hallii'' is a species of succulent plant native to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Limpopo Province of South Africa. The species was named for Harry Hall, formerly the curator of succulents at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape To ...

'' (Chahin.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena hanningtonii'' Baker (

''D. oldupai'') * ''

Dracaena hargeisana Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Chahin.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena hewittii'' Ridl. * '' Dracaena hokouensis'' G.Z.Ye * '' Dracaena hosei'' (Ridl.) Jankalski * '' Dracaena humiflora'' (D.J.Richards) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena hyacinthoides Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (L.) Mabb. * ''

Dracaena impressivenia Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Yu H.Yan & H.J.Guo * ''

Dracaena itumei Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Mbugua) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena jayniana'' Wilkin & Suksathan * ''

Dracaena kaweesakii ''Dracaena kaweesakii'' (Kaweesak's dragon tree; Thai: ''Chan nuu'' or ''Chan pha krai'') is a species of dragon tree. It can reach in both height and crown diameter. It is only found growing atop the limestone mountains in the Loei and the Lop ...

'' Wilkin & Suksathan * ''

Dracaena kirkii Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Baker * '' Dracaena konaensis'' (H.St.John) Jankalski * ''

Dracaena kupensis Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Mwachala, Cheek, Eb.Fisch. & Muasya * ''

Dracaena laevifolia Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (R.H.Webb & L.E.Newton) Takaw.-Ny. & Mucina * ''

Dracaena lancea Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Thunb. & Dalm. * ''

Dracaena lancifolia Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Ridl.) Jankalski * ''

Dracaena lavranii Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Webb & Myklebust) Takaw.-Ny. & Mucina * ''

Dracaena laxissima Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek language, Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity *Dracaena (plant), ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline austra ...

'' Engl. * '' Dracaena liberica'' (Gérôme & Labroy) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena longiflora'' (Sims) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena longifolia'' Ridl. * ''

Dracaena longistyla Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (la Croix) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena lunatifolia Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (L.E.Newton) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena maingayi'' Hook.f. * '' Dracaena malawiana'' Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena mannii ''Dracaena mannii'' Baker or small-leaved dragon tree, is a small to medium-sized tree, though recorded up to 30 m tall with stem to 2 m in diameter in Cameroon and Gabon. It occurs from Senegal to Angola along the African west coast, is widespr ...

'' Baker * '' Dracaena marina'' Bos ex Damen * ''

Dracaena masoniana ''Dracaena masoniana'', synonym ''Sansevieria masoniana'', is a species of '' Dracaena'' native to Africa and originally collected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (french: République démocrat ...

'' (Chahin.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena mokoko Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Mwachala & Cheek * ''

Dracaena multiflora Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Warb. ex P.Sarasin & Sarasin * '' Dracaena newtoniana'' (T.G.Forrest) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena nilotica Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Baker) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena nitens'' Welw. ex Baker * ''

Dracaena nitida Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Chahin.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena novoguineensis Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Gibbs * '' Dracaena nyangensis'' Pellegr. * '' Dracaena ombet'' Heuglin ex Kotschy & Peyr. – Gabal Elba dragon tree * '' Dracaena ovata'' Ker Gawl. * ''

Dracaena pachyphylla Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Kurz * '' Dracaena parva'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena parviflora Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Baker * ''

Dracaena patens Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena pearsonii'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena pedicellata Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (la Croix) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena penangensis'' Ridl. * ''

Dracaena pendula Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Ridl. * ''

Dracaena perrotii Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (O.Warburg) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena perrottetii Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Baker * ''

Dracaena pethera ''Dracaena pethera'', synonym ''Sansevieria kirkii'', also known as star sansevieria, is a succulent plant native to Tanzania and the surrounding region in East Africa. Description The leaves are flattened and thick (at least 9mm), with wavy ed ...

'' Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena petiolata Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Hook.f. * ''

Dracaena pfisteri Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (D.J.Richards) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena phanerophlebia'' Baker * '' Dracaena phillipsiae'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena phrynioides Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Hook. * '' Dracaena pinguicula'' (P.R.O.Bally) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena porteri Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Baker * ''

Dracaena powellii Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena powysii Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (L.E.Newton) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena praetermissa'' Bos * ''

Dracaena purpurea Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Ridl.) Jankalski * '' Dracaena raffillii'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

'' Lam. – Pleomele dracaena or "Song of India" ** ''D. reflexa'' var. ''marginata'' (

''D. marginata'') – red-edged dracaena or Madagascar dragon tree * '' Dracaena rockii'' (H.St.John) Jankalski * ''

Dracaena rosulata Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Mwachala & Eb.Fisch. * '' Dracaena roxburghiana'' (Schult. & Schult.f.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena sambiranensis'' (H.Perrier) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena sanderiana'' Engl. – ribbon dracaena, marketed as "lucky bamboo" * ''

Dracaena sarawakensis Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (W.W.Sm.) Jankalski * '' Dracaena scabra'' Bos * ''

Dracaena scimitariformis Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (D.J.Richards) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena senegambica Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Baker) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena serpenta'' Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena serrulata ''Dracaena serrulata'' also called the Arabian or Yemen Dragon Tree is a distinctive tree reaching around 5m tall with a single trunk. It is found in the dry escarpment mountains of southwestern Arabia from Oman, South Yemen and Saudi Arabia. H ...

'' Baker – Yemen dragon tree * ''

Dracaena siamica Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Ridl. * ''

Dracaena singapurensis Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Ridl. * '' Dracaena singularis'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena sinus-simiorum Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Chahin.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena sordida'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena spathulata ''Dracaena spathulata'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. It was previously known under the synonym A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means exac ...

'' Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena specksii Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (Webb & Myklebust) Takaw.-Ny. & Mucina * '' Dracaena spicata'' Roxb. * '' Dracaena steudneri'' Engl. * '' Dracaena stuckyi'' (God.-Leb.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena subspicata'' (Baker) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena subtilis Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena suffruticosa'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena surculosa'' Lindl. – spotted or gold dust dracaena. Formerly ''D. godseffiana'' * ''

'' Marrero Rodr., R.S.Almeira & M.Gonzáles-Martin * ''

Dracaena terniflora Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Roxb. * '' Dracaena testudinea'' Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena tholloniana Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Hua * ''

Dracaena thwaitesii Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Regel * ''

Dracaena timorensis Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Kunth * ''

Dracaena trachystachys Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Hook.f. * ''

Dracaena transvaalensis ''Dracaena transvaalensis'', the Wolkberg dragon tree, is a medium-sized tree in the genus ''Dracaena'' found in the Olifants River Valley near Penge in the Limpopo and the adjacent Wolkberg. It looks similar to ''Aloe ''Aloe'' (; also w ...

'' Baker * '' Dracaena trifasciata'' (Prain) Mabb. * ''

Dracaena umbraculifera ''Dracaena umbraculifera'' is a tree species only known from botanical gardens since the end of the 18th century, the original sample was labelled as originating from the island nation of Mauritius. It was declared to be extinct by the IUCN in 19 ...

'' Jacq. * ''

Dracaena umbratica Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Ridl. * ''

Dracaena usambarensis Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Engl. * ''

Dracaena varians Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' (N.E.Br.) Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena viridiflora Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Engl. & K.Krause * '' Dracaena volkensii'' (Gürke) Byng & Christenh. * '' Dracaena wakaensis'' Damen & Quiroz * '' Dracaena waltersiae'' Damen * '' Dracaena xiphophylla'' Baker * '' Dracaena yuccifolia'' Ridl. * ''

Dracaena zebra Dracaena (romanized form of the Greek ''δράκαινα'' - ''drakaina'', "female dragon") can mean: *Drakaina (mythology), a Greek mythological entity * ''Dracaena'' (plant), a genus of plants *''Cordyline australis'', a plant commonly known as ...

'' Byng & Christenh. * ''

Dracaena zeylanica ''Dracaena zeylanica'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to southern India and Sri Lanka. It is better known under the synonym ''Sansevieria zeylanica''. Misidentifications Early in the 20th century, ''Dracaena t ...

'' (L.) Mabb.

Formerly regarded as dracaena

* ''

Asparagus asparagoides ''Asparagus asparagoides'', commonly known as bridal creeper, bridal-veil creeper, ''gnarboola'', smilax or smilax asparagus, is a herbaceous climbing plant of the family Asparagaceae native to eastern and southern Africa. Sometimes grown as an ...

'' (L.) Druce (as ''D. medeoloides'' L.f.) * ''

Cordyline australis ''Cordyline australis'', commonly known as the cabbage tree, tī kōuka or cabbage-palm, is a widely branched monocot tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows up to tall with a stout trunk and sword-like leaves, which are clustered at the tips of ...

'' (G.Forst.) Endl. (as ''D. australis'' G.Forst.) * '' Cordyline fruticosa'' (L.) A.Chev. (as ''D. terminalis'' Lam.) * ''

Cordyline indivisa ''Cordyline indivisa'' is a monocot tree endemic to New Zealand, where it is called mountain cabbage tree or bush flax. It is also known as the broad-leaved cabbage tree, and in the Māori language as . Distribution In the North Island ''Cordyl ...

'' (G.Forst.) Steud. (as ''D. indivisa'' G.Forst.) * ''

Cordyline obtecta ''Cordyline obtecta'' (Ti, Norfolk Island cabbage tree, Three Kings cabbage tree) is a widely branching monocot tree native to Norfolk Island (the type locality), and to northern New Zealand. The species name ''obtecta'' derives from the Latin ...

'' (Graham) Baker (as ''D. obtecta'' Graham) * '' Cordyline stricta'' (Sims) Endl. (as ''D. stricta'' Sims) * ''

Dianella ensifolia ''Dianella ensifolia'' is a flowering plant, of the family Asphodelaceae. It is native to southern China, India, Japan, Madagascar, Malesia, the Pacific Islands, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and tropical Asia. Its common names include umbrella ...

'' (L.) DC. (as ''D. ensifolia'' L.) * '' Liriope graminifolia'' (L.) Baker (as ''D. graminifolia'' L.) * ''

Lomandra filiformis ''Lomandra filiformis'', commonly known as wattle mat-rush, is a tussock forming perennial herb that is native to Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the ma ...

'' (Thunb.) Britten (as ''D. filiformis'' Thunb.)

Uses

Ornamental

Some shrubby species, such as '' D. fragrans'', '' D. surculosa'', '' D. marginata'', and '' D. sanderiana'', are popular as

houseplant A houseplant, sometimes known as a pot plant, potted plant, or an indoor plant, is an ornamental plant that is grown indoors. As such, they are found in places like residences and offices, mainly for decorative purposes. Common houseplants are us ...

s. 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

bamboo Bamboos are a diverse group of evergreen perennial flowering plants making up the subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family. The origin of the word "bamboo" is uncertain, ...

s. Dracaena houseplants like humidity and moderate watering. They can tolerate periods of drought but the tips of the leaves may turn brown. Leaves at the base will naturally yellow and drop off, leaving growth at the top and a bare stem. Dracaena are vulnerable to mealybugs and scale insects.

Other

A naturally occurring bright red resin,

dragon's blood Dragon's blood is a bright red resin which is obtained from different species of a number of distinct plant genera: ''Calamus'' spp. (previously ''Daemonorops'') also including ''Calamus rotang'', '' Croton'', '' Dracaena'' and ''Pterocarpus''. ...

, 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 ''

Daemonorops ''Daemonorops'' was a genus of rattan palms in the family Arecaceae. Its species are now included within the genus ''Calamus''. Species found primarily in the tropics and subtropics of southeastern Asia with a few species extending into southe ...

'' rattan palms. It also has social functions in marking graves, sacred sites and farm plots in many African societies

References

Notes

Citations

Sources

* * * * * *

External links

* *
Socotra botany
. Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. {{Taxonbar, from=Q158009 Asparagaceae genera

Description

Species

Formerly regarded as dracaena

Uses

Ornamental

Other

References

Notes

Citations

Sources

Further reading

External links