Dracaena angolensis | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Asparagaceae |
Subfamily: | Nolinoideae |
Genus: | Dracaena |
Species: | D. angolensis
|
Binomial name | |
Dracaena angolensis | |
Synonyms[1][2] | |
|
Dracaena angolensis, synonym Sansevieria cylindrica,[1] commonly known as the spear sansevieria,[3] is a succulent plant native to Angola. Formerly in the genus Sansevieria, it is now included in Dracaena.
Dracaena angolensis has striped, elongate, smooth, greenish-gray subcylindrical leaves. They are up to 3 cm (1 in) diameter and grow up to 2 m (7 ft) above soil.[4] The spear sansevieria grows fan-shaped, with its stiff leaves growing from a basal rosette.
The species is interesting in having subcylindrical instead of strap-shaped leaves caused by a failure to express genes which would cause the cylindrical bud to differentiate dorsoventrally or produce a distinctive and familiar top and bottom surface to the leaf blade.[4][5] The 3 cm (1 in) greenish-white tubular flowers are tinged with pink.[5]
The species is drought-tolerant and in cultivation requires water only about once every other week during the growing season.[5] The species can be watered once a month during the winter months. The species was described by Wenceslas Bojer in 1837. Dracaena angolensis (under the synonym Sansevieria cylindrica) received its common name from a competition in a Dutch national newspaper.[4] It is popular as an ornamental plant[4] as it is easy to culture and take care of in a home if given bright sunlight and other required resources.[5] In Brazil, where it is known as lança de São Jorge ("St. George's spear"), it is grown outside houses to ward off evil that might harm the home.[6] The plant plays an important part in the Afro-Brazilian syncretic religion Umbanda,[6] representing the orisha Ogum,[7] as Ogum is syncretized with St. George.