Dracaena cambodiana

Dracaena cambodiana, commonly known as the Cambodian Dracaena, is a striking ornamental plant valued for its lush, architectural foliage. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this species holds significant botanical interest. While primarily used in landscaping, its unique characteristics invite exploration into its potential traditional uses and medicinal properties within tropical ecosystems.

  • Scientific name: Dracaena cambodiana
  • Family: Asparagaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Asparagales and the family Asparagaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Dracaena, specifically as the species Dracaena cambodiania.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asparagales WCVP
Family Asparagaceae WCVP
Genus Dracaena WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Dracaena cambodianana, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and regional context. In Chinese, it is known as 海南龙血树, 柬埔寨龙血树, or 山铁树叶, with the specific written forms 海南龙血树 for zh-cn and 海南龍血树 for zh-tw.
Language Common Name Source
zh 海南龙血树 Wikidata
zh-cn 海南龙血树 Wikidata
zh-tw 海南龍血树 Wikidata
zh 柬埔寨龙血树 Wikidata
zh 山铁树叶 Wikidata
zh 龙血树 Wikidata
zh 葶苈 Wikidata
zh 山铁树 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning several distinct regions across Asia. In China, its presence is specifically recorded within the tropical province of Hainan. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, the species can be found inhabiting the area of Assam. The Indo-China region also serves as a significant habitat, with populations located in Cambodia and Laos. Furthermore, its distribution extends through the neighboring country of Thailand.

Region Area Source
China Hainan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP
Indo-China Cambodia WCVP
Indo-China Laos WCVP
Indo-China Thailand WCVP
Indo-China Vietnam WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Dracaena cambodiana, is highly valued for its unique botanical properties, particularly concerning its specialized anatomy. The primary source of its medicinal and traditional utility is found within the stems, which harbor a specialized substance known as dragon's blood. When the bark of the plant is wounded, it produces a distinctive red secretion that eventually hardens into a deep, pigmented red resin. This substance is widely harvested and used in various traditional practices due to its unique chemical composition.
Total parts
4
Scientific sources
5
Plant Part Sources Confidence
dragon's blood 2 ★☆☆☆☆
stems 1 ★☆☆☆☆
red secretion 1 ★☆☆☆☆
red resin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Dracaena cambodiana has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, loureirin B, resveratrol, 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone, Flavonoids.

Total chemicals
13
Scientific sources
16

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
loureirin B 2 ★☆☆☆☆
resveratrol 2 ★☆☆☆☆
7,4'-dihydroxyflavone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Loureirin A 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Loureirin B 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Loureirin D 1 ★☆☆☆☆
icariside D1 1 ★☆☆☆☆
loureirin A 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Dracaena cambodiana has 3 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antitumor, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic.

Total activities
3
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antitumor 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Dracaena cambodiana has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆