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The Dracaenaceae is a group of about 160 species of tropical trees, shrubs and herbs in the monocotyledonous succulent genera Dracaena and Sanseviera. The Dracaenaceae were formerly included in the Agavaceae, and separation into their own family is not universally accepted. Some classification systems include members of the Nolinaceae and Cordyline in the Dracaenaceae.
Plants in the Dracaenaceae usually have linear, parallel-veined, fibrous, semi-succulent to succulent leaves arranged in rosettes with a woody supporting trunk (Dracaena) or with a short stoloniferous stem (Sanseviera). Leaves of many species contain irritant calcium oxalate crystals and the sap may contain saponins. The stems of Dracaena contain resins (Dragon's Blood) that are used in coloured varnishes and other products.
Flowers carried on racemes or pannicles are followed by red or orange berries.
Dracaena are distributed through the Canary Islands, Madeira, Cape Verde Islands and Morocco and Sansevieria through tropical Africa.
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Plant Families with Succulent Species