Dracaena reflexa

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Dracaena reflexa
Mature specimens on Réunion.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Asparagales Family: Ruscaceae (Dracaenaceae) Genus: Dracaena Species: D. reflexa
Binomial name
Dracaena reflexa Lam.

Dracaena reflexa, commonly called Pleomele or the Song of India, is a species of Dracaena (family Ruscaceae); a tropical tree native to Madagascar, Mauritius, and other nearby islands of the Indian Ocean. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant and houseplant, valued for its richly coloured, evergreen leaves, and thick, irregular stems.

While it may reach a height of 4–5 m, rarely 6 m in ideal, protected locations, D. reflexa is usually much smaller, especially when grown as a houseplant. It is slow-growing and upright in habit, tending to an oval shape with an open crown. The lanceolate leaves are simple, spirally arranged, 5–20 cm long and 1.5-5 cm broad at the base, with a parallel venation and entire margin; they grow in tight whorls and are a uniform dark green ^[1], ^[2].

The flowers are small, clustered, and usually white, appearing in mid winter. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are especially showy. D. reflexa var. augustifolia differs in having a magenta tint to its flowers, a shrubby habit, and olive green leaves ^[3].

[edit] Cultivation and uses

Dracaena reflexa is a popular ornamental plant, both in the landscape and the home. It can be enjoyed as a specimen plant, accent, or pruned to create a border. Several cultivars have been selected, particularly variegated clones with cream and yellow-green margins. It performs well as a houseplant, tolerating infrequent waterings. It prefers bright, filtered light, without direct sun exposure, restricted outdoors to zones 10–11. It has average water needs and should be fertilized bi-weekly when actively growing. Although it can survive in relatively low light levels, the plant may grow spindly if given insufficient light. When grown indoors, temperatures of 18 °C to 25 °C should be maintained ^[4]. It can be propagated via herbaceous stem cuttings.

Traditional medicine practitioners of Madgascar have long believed Dracaena reflexa to cure malarial symptoms, poisoning, dysentery, diarrhea, dysmenorrhea, and to be useful as an antipyretic and hemostatic agent. The leaves and bark are mixed with parts of a number of other native plants and brewed into a herbal tea. Its effectiveness in any such treatment remains unproven ^[5].

The fruit of D. reflexa is also important to the diet of the Malagasy Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata variegata) ^[6]. The Frégate beetle (Polposipus herculeanus), an endangered species endemic to Frégate Island (Seychelles), is also known to associate with this plant ^[7].

[edit] References

1. ^ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan.
2. ^ Gilman, E. F. (1999). Fact Sheet FPS-187: Dracaena reflexa. Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Retrieved April 18, 2006 from http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/DRAREFA.PDF
3. ^ Missouri Botanical Garden. Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia Baker. Conspectus of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar. Retrieved April 18, 2006 from http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/Madagasc/liliac/00615149.html
4. ^ Flowers & Plants Association. Plant Facts: Dracaena reflexa. Retrieved April 18, 2006 from http://www.flowers.org.uk/plants/plantfacts/dracaena_reflexa.htm
5. ^ Randrianarivelojosia, R., et al. (2003). Plants traditionally prescribed to treat tazo (malaria) in the eastern region of Madagascar. Malaria Journal; 2: 25. Retrieved April 18, 2006 from http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=184444&tools=bot
6. ^ Britt, A. (2000). Diet and Feeding Behaviour of the Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata variegata) in the Betampona Reserve, Eastern Madagascar. Folia Primatologica. 71: 133-141.
7. ^ Ferguson, A., Pearce-Kelly, P. (2004). The Frégate Island giant tenebrionid beetle. Management Guidelines For the Welfare of Zoo Animals. The Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland. London, UK. ISSN 0963-1712. Retrieved April 18, 2006 from http://www.zoofederation.org.uk/uploads/Management%2520Guidelines%2520-%2520Fregate%2520beetle%252007-11-04.pdf