Dracaena aletriformis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Large-leaved dragon tree | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Genus: | Dracaena |
| Species: | D. aletriformis |
| Binomial name | |
| Dracaena aletriformis | |
| Synonyms | |
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Dracaena hookeriana K.Koch [family DRACAENACEAE] | |
Dracaena aletriformis is commonly known as the large-leaved dragon tree. These plants are found in forest in the eastern areas of South Africa from Port Elizabeth to northern and eastern Limpopo.[2] They are also found in Eswatini,[2] but are most common in the coastal and dune forests of KwaZulu-Natal.[3]
This plant has 8 synonyms.[1] In the APG III classification system, the genus Dracaena is placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Convallarioideae (formerly the family Ruscaceae).[4] It has also been placed in the Agavaceae (now the subfamily Agavoideae) and the Dracaenaceae. Like many lilioid monocots, it was formerly placed in the family Liliaceae (lily family).[2]
Description
Single stemmed or branched (usually at the base). The leaves are large and strap-shaped in rosettes at the tips of the stem/s. The leaves are leathery, shiny, and dark green, with whitish margins. These plants may grow up to 4 metres (13 ft) tall. The flowers are produced on a much branched flowering head. The flowers are silvery-white and described as sweetly or strongly scented.[3][2] The two-lobed berry-like fruit ripen to a reddish-orange colour.
