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Dracaena surculosa Lindl.
| Family Name: | Asparagaceae |
| Synonyms: | Agave godseffiana |
| Common Name: | Gold Dust Dracaena, Spotted Dracaena, Japanese Bamboo |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
|---|---|
| Maximum Height | 1 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | West Africa |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Foliage | Leaves are smooth and leathery, about 7 - 12cm long, elliptical or ovate, with a mucronate apex. Young leaves are green with attractive yellow or golden variegation patterns, usually spots or blotches. They are arranged spirally at the growing tip of the stems. As the stem grows, the leaves mature and the yellow variegation fades to cream or white, and the internodes lengthen. Pairs of leaves may appear to be in opposite arrangement, while clusters of 3-4 leaves appear as whorls. |
|---|---|
| Flowers | Flowers are white, inconspicuous, about 1.5cm long, borne in a terminal globular cluster on a downward drooping peduncle which is about 8 to 15cm long. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | A common container-grown monocotyledonous plant in Singapore. Unlike other species belonging to the genus Dracaena, this plant does not have strap-like leaves. It is slow-growing, and can eventually reach a height about about 1m. |
| Cultivation | Popular as an indoor plant as it is quite hardy and prefers partial shade. If placed in insufficiently bright positions, it may lose its variegation or shed leaves. It can tolerate a couple of hours of direct sunlight but too much will scorch the foliage. Requires well-drained soil, even more so that other Dracaena species. It is very sensitive to over-watering, which will cause the leaves to turn brown and fall off, often prompting even more watering, thereby worsening the situation. Thus it is prudent to water only sparingly, when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch, taking care not to drench the soil. It appears to benefit from monthly to fortnightly foliar fertilization. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 672 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1967 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
