song-of-India

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• song-of-India
• Pleomele
• Song of India

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lomatophyllum reflexum
• Draco reflexa
• Pleomele reflexa
• Cordyline reflexa

Regional and Traditional Names

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. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales, it is further categorized into the family Asparagaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Dracaena.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found within the Central African Republic. Its range extends to South Tropical Africa, specifically in the nation of Mozambique. The species is also widely distributed throughout the Western Indian Ocean, including the Aldabra and Chagos Archipelago. Finally, its presence is noted within the Comoros islands of the same oceanic region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dracaena reflexa is characterized by its specific niche within montane environments, where it thrives across a distinct altitudinal gradient. This species is predominantly found in high-altitude regions, occupying an elevational range that begins at 1500 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2600 m AMSL. Within this range, the plant adapts to the varying climatic conditions typical of mid-to-high elevation zones, which often involve cooler temperatures and specific moisture regimes dictated by the mountain topography. Its distribution is closely tied to these specific elevation levels, reflecting its specialization for the unique environmental pressures found in these highland habitats.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Dracaena reflexa is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a long-term presence in its natural habitat. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species exhibits the life forms of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte, reflecting its ability to maintain woody stems that extend above the ground level while also demonstrating compact growth patterns.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dracaena reflexa is characterized by its distinct growth form as a woody shrub. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as those seen in lianas or vines, nor does it function as an obligatory or facultative climber. The species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and it does not function as an epiphyte, whether in a holoepiphytic, hemiepiphytic, or facultative capacity. Furthermore, Dracaena reflexa is an independent organism that does not exhibit parasitic life strategies, maintaining a robust, woody structure throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dracaena reflexa is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes, most notably its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway to facilitate carbon fixation. As a C3 plant, it performs the initial carboxylation of CO2 using the enzyme Rubisco, leading to the direct formation of a three-carbon compound, which is the primary mechanism for energy production within its leaf tissues. This metabolic strategy dictates its physiological requirements for water and light, as the plant must balance gas exchange through its stomata with the need to minimize photorespiration and transpirational water loss. The efficiency of its carbon assimilation is closely tied to its environmental adaptations, influencing its growth rate, biomass accumulation, and overall resource allocation within its physiological framework.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Dracaena reflexa is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits that serve as the primary vessel for seed dispersal. The seeds contained within these fruits exhibit specific physical dimensions and weight profiles; the seed mass typically ranges from a minimum of 0.04572 g to a maximum of 0.08606 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.0667546666666667 g. In terms of spatial dimensions, the seed volume fluctuates between a minimum of 51 mm³ and a maximum of 70 mm³, maintaining a mean seed volume of 60.5 mm³. The morphological nature of the fruit is described as fleshy, a trait that facilitates the biological processes necessary for the successful propagation of the species.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass max:

0.08606 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0667546666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.04572 g

Seed volume max:

70 mm³

Seed volume mean:

60.5 mm³

Seed volume min:

51 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dracaena reflexa has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. In silico pharmacology

Stem

1. In silico pharmacology

Chemicals

Dracaena reflexa has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-(6',8'-dimethoxydodecyl)-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1h-pyrrole-2,5-dione.

3-(6',8'-dimethoxydodecyl)-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1h-pyrrole-2,5-dione

1. In silico pharmacology

Activities

Dracaena reflexa has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Thrombolytic.

Antibacterial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Thrombolytic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Dracaena reflexa has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include SARS-CoV-2.

Sars-cov-2

1. In silico pharmacology

Preparations

Dracaena reflexa has 5 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dichloro-methane extract, ethanol extract, methanolic extract, n-butanol fraction, n-hexane fraction.

Dichloro-methane extract

1. In silico pharmacology

Ethanol extract

1. In silico pharmacology

Methanolic extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

N-butanol fraction

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

N-hexane fraction

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)