Biology:Dracaena aletriformis
| Large-leaved dragon tree | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Nolinoideae |
| Genus: | Dracaena |
| Species: | D. aletriformis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Dracaena aletriformis (Haw.) Bos
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Dracaena hookeriana K.Koch [family DRACAENACEAE] | |
Dracaena aletriformis is commonly known as the large-leaved dragon tree. These plants are found in forest in the eastern areas of South Africa from Port Elizabeth to northern and eastern Gauteng.[2] They are also found in Swaziland,[2] but are most common in the coastal and dune forests of KwaZulu-Natal.[3]
Taxonomy
This plant has 8 synonyms.[1] In the APG III classification system, the genus Dracaena is placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae (formerly the family Ruscaceae).[4]) It has also been placed in the Agavaceae (now the subfamily Agavoideae) and the Dracaenaceae. Like many lilioid monocots, it was formerly placed in the family Liliaceae (lily family).[2]
Description
Single stemmed or branched (usually at the base). The leaves are large and strap-shaped in rosettes at the tips of the stem/s. The leaves are leathery, shiny, and dark green, with whitish margins. These plants may grow up to 4 m tall. The flowers are produced on a much branched flowering head. The flowers are silvery-white and described as sweetly[3] or strongly[2] scented. The two-lobed berry-like fruit ripen to a reddish-orange colour.
Ecological Significance
The flowers open from late afternoon to early morning and attract night-active pollinator moths. Birds eat the fruit; helping to remove the orange pulp which contains a growth inhibitor that otherwise slows germination of the seeds.[2] Snails and the larvae of the Bush Night Fighter butterfly, Artitropa erinnys, feed on the leaves.[2][5] Birds and mice nest among the leaves of these plants.[3]
Gallery
A group of D. aletriformis in dune vegetation.
Fruit of D. aletriformis.
Surrounded by Isoglossa woodii in dune vegetation.
A young specimen.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 [yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}] Dracaena aletriformis (Haw.) Bos [family DRACAENACEAE]{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}[yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}], Aluka
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Viljoen, C. (2003). Dracaena aletriformis, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Pooley, E. (1993)
- ↑ Chase, M.W.; Reveal, J.L. & Fay, M.F. (2009), "A subfamilial classification for the expanded asparagalean families Amaryllidaceae, Asparagaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae", Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 161 (2): 132–136, doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00999.x
- ↑ Williams, M. (1994).
Bibliography
- Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. ISBN:0-620-17697-0.
Wikidata ☰ Q3642768 entry
 |
