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Dracaena angolensis (Welw. ex Carrière) Byng & Christenh.
| Family Name: | Asparagaceae |
| Synonyms: | Sansevieria cylindrica Bojer ex Hook. |
| Common Name: | Common Spear Plant, Spear Sansevieria, 棒叶虎尾兰, 圆叶虎尾兰 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Succulent Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Angola (Africa) |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Rhizomatous succulent with rod-like leaves that alternate to form a fan-like shape, growing up to 0.9 - 1.2 m tall and 0.6 - 0.9 m wide. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Stiff, cylindrical leaves taper to a sharp point and have a ribbed surface (0.6 - 1.5 m long, 2 - 3 cm wide). Leaves are greyish green with indistinct dark green bands that create a striped pattern. |
| Flowers | White, fragrant flowers are tubular with 5 linear lobes curled backwards (2.5 cm long). The long, white stamens extend well beyond the lobes. Flowers are arranged in a whorled pattern along a spike-like inflorescence that is actually a raceme. |
| Cultivation | This slow-growing species is easy-to-grow and requires little maintenance. It tolerates prolonged drought for weeks, but is usually killed by overwatering. Water plants about every 3 weeks. It grows best in sandy loam, and individuals should be spaced 0.6 - 0.9 m apart. |
| Etymology | The genus "Sansevieria" was named after Count Pietro Antonio Sanseverino of Naples, Italy. He was a patron of horticulture during the late 1700s. The species epithet "cylindrica" refers to the cylindrical leaves. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Suitable for Rooftops, Coastal, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, General, Flowerbed / Border |
| Thematic Landscaping | Silver Garden, Rockery / Desert Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | Stiff pointed leaves, do not place near playgrounds or areas where people may fall onto plant. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Disease / Pest Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Shallow Media, Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Acidic (low pH) Soils, Alkaline high pH Soils |
| Propagation Method | Leaf Cutting, Storage Organ (Rhizome), Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Silver / Grey |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Rough, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Acaulescent |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Rhizome), Aboveground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, White |
|---|---|
| Flowering Period | Rarely |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Berry |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1126 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2419 |
| 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. |
