Cantley's Dracaena

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cantley's Dracaena

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pleomele marmorata
• Dracaena marmorata
• Pleomele cantleyi

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales, specifically within the family Asparagaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Dracaena.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several key regions in Southeast Asia. Within the Indo-China region, it can be found growing in Thailand. Its presence also extends into the Malesia zone, specifically across the island of Borneo. Additionally, the species is distributed within the Malesia region of Malaya. These locations highlight the tropical habitats where the plant naturally thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Dracaena cantleyi is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, as it maintains its persistent, woody vegetative structures well above the soil surface. This growth habit allows the plant to establish a robust physical presence, often forming dense, architectural foliage that serves as a primary component of its ecological niche. While its overarching structure aligns with the phanerophyte life form, its developmental strategies and survival mechanisms are specialized to manage environmental stressors through its perennial nature. Unlike nanophanophytes or chamaephytes that maintain low-growing or diminutive profiles, Dracaena cantleyi invests in upward vertical growth, ensuring that its photosynthetic organs are positioned to maximize light interception throughout its lifecycle.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Dracaena cantleyi is characterized by its growth form as a shrub, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 4 m. It is a woody species that functions as a self-supporting plant, exhibiting no climbing habits. As a terrestrial organism, it grows in soil rather than as an epiphyte, and it maintains an independent existence without acting as a parasite on other organisms.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dracaena cantleyi has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Scientific reports

Chemicals

Dracaena cantleyi has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include IL-6.

IL-6

1. Scientific reports

Conditions

Dracaena cantleyi has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include skin diseases.

Skin diseases

1. Scientific reports

Preparations

Dracaena cantleyi has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include a foamy mixture of saliva and leaf, leaf extracts.

A foamy mixture of saliva and leaf

1. Scientific reports

Leaf extracts

1. Scientific reports