The dragon blood tree has such a distinctive appearance, will you like it?
Alternative names of Dracaena
Bleeding tree, holy medicine for invigorating blood, plant of longevity, bucai tree, bamboo wood, maluo sugarcane tree
Morphological characteristics of Dracaena
Evergreen small shrub, up to 4 m tall, bark gray. Leaves sessile, densely clustered at the top of the stem, thickly papery, broadly linear or oblanceolate, 10-35 cm long, 1-5.5 cm wide, base enlarged and stem-clasping, narrower near the base, midrib distinctly rib-like on the lower part of the underside, terminal large panicle up to 60 cm long, flowers in clusters of 1-3. Flowers white, fragrant. Berry spherical, yellow.
Many species and varieties of the same genus are used for garden ornament. Dracaena has loose wood, a hollow trunk, and branches full of holes, so it cannot be used as a beam; when burned it only smokes and does not catch fire, so it cannot be used as firewood either. It is truly useless, hence it is also called the "bucai tree."
Growth habits of Dracaena
Dracaena likes high temperatures and high humidity, and likes light. With sufficient light, the leaves are brightly colored. It is not cold-tolerant. The winter temperature is about 15°C, and the minimum temperature is 5-10°C.
If the temperature is too low, yellow-brown patches will appear on the leaf tips and leaf margins because the root system cannot absorb enough water. Dracaena likes loose, well-drained soil rich in humus and nutrients.
Main value of Dracaena
Ornamental: Dracaena has a graceful and neat plant shape, and its leaf shapes and colors are varied. It is an excellent foliage plant for modern indoor decoration. Small and medium potted flowers can accent a study, living room, and bedroom, while medium and large plants can beautify and decorate a hall.
Medicinal: After Dracaena is injured, it exudes a blood-colored liquid. This liquid is a resin, dark red, and is a precious traditional Chinese medicine. Its Chinese medicinal name is "xuejie" or "qilin xue." It has the medicinal function of invigorating blood and can treat muscle and bone pain.
Economic: The deep red sap of Dracaena can be used as a dye, or to paint violins.