Northern Large-leaved Dragon Tree

The Northern Large-leaved Dragon Tree (Dracaena steudneri) can be found in eastern and central Africas dry regions, extending from Ethiopia in the north to Zimbabwe and Mozambique in the south. They occur as an understorey tree in evergreen forests and also grows along forest margins.

The Northern Large-leaved Dragon Tree appears as a single- or multi-stemmed palm-like tree, up to 15 meters tall, with dense terminal rosettes of leaves. These leaves can be up to 130 centimeters long. Flowers are formed in sprays that can reach two meters in length. Each individual flower is white, greenish white or cream. The flowers open only at night and emit a sweet smell. The berry is about 3 centimeters in diameter and and turns from green to black with intermediary colours including dark purple, red and blackish red.

The first part of its scientific name, Dracaena, is a feminine form of the Greek word drakon and therefore means 'female dragon'. The second part, steudneri, honours Hermann Steudner (1832-1863) who was a botanist and an explorer of Africa. Steudner visited African regions which were never explored by a botanist before. Hence, his careful reports were of high importance.

This species of Dracaena is cultivated in gardens because of its interesting shape. In tropical Africa the leaves and roots are used to a small extent for medicines. The leaves are sometimes used as a wrapping material.