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Scientific Name:
Dracaena marginata
Pronunciation:
druh-SEE-nuh mar-jin-AY-tuh
Common Name:
dragon tree, red margined dracaena
Family Name:
Asparagaceae
Plant Type:
Broadleaf evergreen, Indoor foliage plant
Key ID Features:
Leaves spirally arranged, linear, most 30-40 long x 6-13mm wide.

Habit:
Arching, Stiffly upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
1.3 - 2.0m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
Africa (Madagascar)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 10: (-1 to 4 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade, Filtered shade, Sheltered
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Container planting, Indoor plant
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown include D. 'Tricolor'. Compare to dracaena spikes (commonly used with bedding plants in containers).

Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Spiraled, Sessile
Texture/Venation:
Leathery, Heavily veined, Parallel venation
Surfaces:
Lustrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Red, Red margins; cv. Tricolor w. pink, cream stripes.
Colour in Fall:
Green, Red
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Acuminate
Bases:
Sheathing
Margins:
Entire
Additional Info:
Leaves variegated

Inflorescence Type:
Panicle
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
6
Corolla Shape:
Funnelform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Not showy, White
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Unlikely to flower locally

Fruit Type:
Berry (true)
Fruit Colour:
Dark-red
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant, Rarely forms locally

Bark or Stem Colour:
Dark Grey, Brown
Propagation:
Seed, Greenwood cuttings
Optimal Temp.:
Medium
Light Level:
Medium
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Mites, Scale insects

Course(s):
  • HORT 1155
  • HORT 1193/1293
Location(s):
  • (GNH)  GreeNHouse
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