African Spear Dracaena angolensis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Sansevieria cylindrica
- Phonetic Spelling
- dra-SEE-nah an-go-LEN-sis
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
African spear is an easy-to-grow, succulent herbaceous perennial native to Africa. It is a member of the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). It has a dramatic form with subcylindrical, spiky leaves that resemble D. trifasicata in the variegation. The epithet is Latin for "of Angola."
Grow this plant in a well-drained potting mix (one specific for cacti and succulents is good) and water only about every 2 weeks in summer and monthly in winter. Place it in a brightly lit window. If taken outdoors in the summer, only give it morning sun to avoid sunburn. Bring it indoors when the temperature falls below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
The leaves grow from a rosette and are 1 inch wide and up to 7 feet tall with longitudinal stripes. It will occasionally bloom in a container. The plants are often sold as rooted leaf cuttings, sometimes with three or more leaves braided together or sometimes with their tips dipped in paint. These leaves will live for a long time. Eventually, new plants will arise for the base of the leaf cuttings.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Dracaena angolensis var. patula 'Boncel'
thick and shorter leaves and spreads from the base like fan, nicknamed the "starfish"
- Dracaena angolensis var. patula 'Boncel'
- Dracaena angolensis var. patula 'Boncel'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Dracaena angolensis var. patula 'Boncel'
thick and shorter leaves and spreads from the base like fan, nicknamed the "starfish"
- Dracaena angolensis var. patula 'Boncel'
- Dracaena angolensis var. patula 'Boncel'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dracaena
- Species:
- angolensis
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Africa
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fleshy red berry-type fruit when mature
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-inch fragrant white tubular flowers are tinged pink and grow up an erect raceme in summer. They have 6 linear lobes curled backward with long, white stamens extending well beyond the lobes. Flowers are arranged in a whorled pattern along the inflorescence.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Striped gray-green subcylindrical leaves 1" in diameter and up to 7 feet long growing from a basal rosette.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Humidity
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
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-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Toxic if ingested by cats and dogs: dilated pupils, vomiting, stomach upset, abdominal pain, drooling, weakness, depression. Keep this plant away from pets and children. Humans should not ingest this plant. Skin irritation can occur from the plant sap.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- saponin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Stems
