Dragon tree
Dracaena elliptica

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It is erect and has many branches. It can grow 5 m tall. The leaves are alternate. The leaf stalks are 2 cm long. The leaves are narrowly oval or sword shaped and taper to the tip. They are 6-23 cm long by 2-8 cm wide. The flower panicles are at the end of branches. These are 7-25 cm long and have many flowers. They are white. The fruit are round berries. They are orange when ripe.

There are 140 Pleomele species. Also put in the family Dracaenaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in shady places in forests. In Indonesia it grows up to 1,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves and tips are steamed and eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds and cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Anaong alas, Andong hijau, Andong kreekil, Andong wana, Andong watoo, Drakaena nagam Handjoowang kasintoo, Kembang naga, Kosindola, Respang

Synonyms

Cordyline atropurpurea (Roxb.) Planch.; Dracaena atropurpurea Roxb.; Draco atropurpurea (Roxb.) Kuntze; Pleomele elliptica (Thunb.& Dalm.) N. E. Br.; Sansevieria javanica Blume; and several others