Plant Families with Succulent Species

Dracaenaceae - Dragon Blood Trees

Asparagus draco = Dracaena draco: Carl von Linnaeus 1767

The Dracaenaceae is a group of about 160 species of tropical trees, shrubs and herbs in the monocotyledonous succulent genera Dracaena and Sansevieria. The Dracaenaceae were formerly included in the Agavaceae. Separation into their own family is not universally accepted. Some classification systems include members of the Nolinaceae and Cordyline in the Dracaenaceae or Ruscaceae.

Plants in the Dracaenaceae usually have linear, parallel-veined, fibrous, semi-succulent to succulent leaves arranged in rosettes with a pachycaul, woody supporting trunk (Dracaena) or with a short stoloniferous stem (Sansevieria). Leaves of many species contain irritant calcium oxalate crystals and the sap may contain saponins. Dracaena have a secondary thickening meristem in their trunk known as Dracaenoid thickening and shared with some related families.

Dracaena are distributed through the Canary Islands, Madeira, Cape Verde Islands and Morocco, a few in Asia and one species in South America. There are probably around 60 species including trees with stiff leaves from arid areas and smaller shrubby plants with flexible broad leaves growing on the floor of rain-forests. However, numerous synonyms are known. Flowers carried on racemes or pannicles are followed by red or orange berries.

These tough plants are frequently seen decorating shopping malls and offices. However, they are not frost hardy. A dark-leaved species Dracaena marginata (Red Edged Dracaena) seems to be particularly popular with interior designers at present and is replacing the once-ubiquitous Yucca elephantipes.
Dracaena sanderiana from Cameroon is marketed as "lucky bamboo" despite being unrelated to the bamboo (grass) family. It is popular with Feng Shui practitioners and typically sold twisted into a spiral or other shapes under the influence of directional illumination and gravity.

The stems of Dracaena trees especially Dracaena cinnabari from Socotra and Dracaena draco from the Canary Islands, exude a reddish sap (Dragon's Blood) containing spirit-soluble resins. Dragon's Blood is used in coloured varnishes and other products and was an essential ingredient for varnishing 18th century Italian violins.

Dracaena aubryana - is widely distributed across equatorial Africa. Long, ribbed, sword-shaped leaves on short stems arise in clumps from the soil. The tassel of white flowers is slightly fragrant.

Dracaena camerooniana - a shrubby plant from equatorial Africa growing 20 ft tall. Cane-like stems rising from the rootstock bear whorls of sword-shaped leaves.

Dracaena aletriformis Syn. Dracaena hookeriana (Leather Dracaena) - a substantial tree from South Africa and Swaziland growing to 15 ft. Rosettes of curved, leathery, strap-like leaves are carried on the end of a stout, branching trunk patterned with leaf scars. The inflorescence is a panicle of small sweetly perfumed yellow-green flowers produced during the summer, and is followed by orange berries.


Dracaena aubryana	Dracaena aubryana	Dracaena camerooniana	Dracaena camerooniana	Dracaena hookeriana


Dracaena schizantha	Dracaena steudneri

The genus Sansevieria is distributed through tropical Africa. Their tough strap-like leaves are resistant to abuse and neglect and the unusual leaf form of species such as S. cylindrica (South Africa / Natal) makes them popular as architectural plants with trendy designers. A large number of variegated forms are known. Some of these plants tolerate central heating and poor light very well, making them ideal house-plants. However, bright light will bring out the best in them and encourage flowering. The leaves of Sansevieria pulchra takes on an attractive bronze colour in full sun. A selected cultivar Sansevieria pulchra cv. Coppertone has bronzed leaves irrespective of light intensity.

Sansevierias may be propagated by dividing the plant. Divide the rhizomes with a clean, sharp knife to separate offsets. Allow to dry off for a few days. Then pot up in a gritty free-draining potting mixture. Don't plant the cutting any deeper than in its original position or it may rot. If necessary, use small stones or stakes to keep the cutting upright until it has rooted properly. Water sparingly until some growth is observed.
Sansevierias may also be propagated from leaf cuttings, but this takes a long time.


Sansevieria conspicua	Sansevieria cylindrica Photo: Cynthia Nash	Sansevieria parva	Sansevieria subfructicosa