Northern large-leaved dragon-tree
Dracaena steudneri

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows up to 15-18 m high. It has a few stout branches. The leaves are crowded near the ends of branches. They are in rings. The inner leaves are erect and the outer leaves droop. They are 1 m long.

Possibly edible. Also put in the family Dracaenaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in open forest as an early re-growth species. In Malawi it grows between about 1,000 and 2,000 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are used for baking bread.

Edible parts

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Etse phatos, Igihoondohoondo

Synonyms

Dracaena papahu Engl.; Pleomele papahu (Engl.) N. E. Br.; Pleomele steudneri (Engl.) N. E. Br.;