Dracaena reflexa

Dracaena reflexa Lam.

Common Names: Song of India, Song of Jamaica

Family: Asparagaceae

Habit: Dracaena reflexa grows as a caulescent, clumping, semi succulent shrub to 6 m (usually smaller) in height.  The leaves are arranged essentially in whorls/spirals along the stem.  The green (often variegated), lanceolate, leaves are sessile, linear/lanceolate, to 20 cm in length and 5 cm in width and entire (often wavy), with yellow margins.

The incomplete, perfect actinomorphic flowers are arranged in a terminal panicle to 60 cm in height. Flowers subtended by a lanceolate bractlet. The perianth has 6, fused at the base into a tube, white tepals.  There are 6 unfused stamens.  The superior ovary has 3 locules and numerous seeds.  The fruit is a brown/orange berry at maturity.

Habitat: Dracaena reflexa grows in Human Altered environments (gardens, yards)

Distribution: Dracaena reflexa is NOT native to the Lucayan Archipelago. It is native to the Indian Ocean region.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage:   Dracaena reflexa is not used medicinally in the Bahamian Archipelago. 

It has been used as an ornamental and as a houseplant.