Dracaena ovata is a shrub or small tree within the family Asparagaceae.
| Dracaena ovata | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Nolinoideae |
| Genus: | Dracaena |
| Species: | D. ovata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Dracaena ovata Ker Gawl.
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Description
editThe species grows up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) tall. The stem is commonly yellowish brown in color and is fibrous when young with prophylls often present.[2] Its leaves are arranged in whorls, petiole is present and up to 4 millimetres (0.16 in); leaves are ovate to obovate in outline, can reach up to 28 centimetres (11 in) long and 8 centimetres (3 in) wide, base is cuneate while apex is acuminate. Inflorescence is terminal racemes, up to 6 centimetres (2.4 in) long with white flowers.[2] The fruit is globular in shape, and up to 25 millimetres (1 in) in diameter, green when young and yellow and orange when ripe.[3]
Distribution
editThe species occurs in West Africa, from Sierra Leone westwards to Southern Cameroon.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Dracaena ovata". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- ^ a b c Bos, J.J. (1984). Dracaena in West Africa (PhD thesis). Wageningen University.
- ^ Bongers, F.; Poorter, L.; Hawthorne, W. D. (2004), Poorter, L.; Bongers, F.; Kouamé, F. N'.; Hawthorne, W. D. (eds.), "The forests of Upper Guinea: gradients in large species composition.", Biodiversity of West African forests: an ecological atlas of woody plant species (1 ed.), UK: CABI Publishing, p. 217, doi:10.1079/9780851997346.0041, ISBN 978-0-85199-734-6