Forest dracaena
Dracaena fragrans

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A shrub like plant. It is succulent. It grows 10 m tall. The stems are soft wooded and do not have branches. It can be erect or scrambling. The leaves are leathery and crowded in rings. The flowers are white to purple and are in groups at the top of the plant. The fruit are 1-2 cm across.

Also put in the family Dracaenaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the understorey in mountain forest. It grows between 600-2,250 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (country/location of origin), Angola, Asia, Australia, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Fiji, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kiribati, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pacific, Rotuma, SE Asia, Sudan, Thailand, Tuvalu, Uganda, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit poisonous

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Corn plant, Cornstalk dracaena, Dragon's blood plant, Sukulen darah naga, Ut, Zaw-gyi-taung-hmwe

Synonyms

Aletris fragrans