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DRACAENACEAE

(Dragon Tree family)

• Medicinal / Folk-medicinal aspects: Some traditional dermatologic and ophthalmic uses have been documented, but with no clear pattern of usage across traditions. •
• Adverse effects: The presence of minute calcium oxalate raphide crystals as well as saponins in many species renders them potentially capable of causing irritation (micro-trauma resembling glass-fibre-induced dermatitis) when brought into contact with the skin or eyes. However, the dermatologic hazard presented by these plants is evidently low as judged by the scarcity of case reports to be found in the literature. Several Dasylirion species have dangerously sharp spines on their leaves, which are capable of inflicting mechanical injury. •
• Veterinary aspects: The flowering and fruiting stems of certain Nolina species growing in southern North America have caused a severe hepatotoxicosis in grazing animals, which is characterised by icterus, an itching photodermatitis, and swelling of the skin. •

Until recently, the 220 species in 6 genera that now comprise the Dracaenaceae were considered to belong in the Agavaceae family. They occur naturally in south-western North America and throughout the tropics, being particularly well represented in Africa. The principal genera are Sansevieria Thunb. and Dracaena Vand. ex L., which account for 100+ and 60 species respectively (Mabberley 1997). Some authorities place the genus Cordyline Comm. ex R.Br. in the Asteliaceae and Dracaena in the Xanthorrhoeaceae.

Representatives from all 6 genera are to be found in cultivation, being grown as indoor or outdoor ornamentals. Many are popular houseplants (Hunt 1968/70).

Cordyline cannifolia R.Br.: [syns Cordyline terminalis Kunth var. cannifolia Baker, Sansevieria cannifolia Spreng.]
Palm Lily

Griffin & Maunwongyathi (1969) observed bundles of calcium oxalate needle-crystals (raphides) in the leaves of this species. The dimensions of the raphides were not reported [see also Cordyline fruticosa below].

Cordyline fruticosa Goeppert: [syns Cordyline terminalis Kunth, Dracaena terminalis L., Asparagus terminalis L.]
Goodluck Plant, Polynesian Ti Plant, Tree of Kings, Red Dracaena

This commonly grown house plant is known to contain saponin. Its fresh juice is said to successfully treat skin ailments, eye strain, and particularly eye inflammation (Griffin & Maunwongyathi 1969). Perry & Metzger (1980) document a number of other folk-medicinal uses of this plant. For example, in Sumatra, the leaves warmed over a fire were placed on wounds inflicted by stinging fish; and on Tami Island in Oceania, the juice was dripped on cuts and bruises.

The leaves of this species contain bundles of calcium oxalate raphides, the individual crystals of which being sharply pointed at both ends, and measuring 40–50 µm in length and about 2 µm in diameter (Schmidt RJ 1981 — unpublished observation). Heisel & Hunt (1968), in a study of cutaneous reactions to glass fibres of different diameters, noted that fibres less than 18.0 × 10⁻⁵ in [= 4.5 µm) in diameter are not irritating to the skin, whilst Sakai et al. (1984) noted that raphides cause irritation only when they exceed 180 µm in length.

Lynne-Davies & Mitchell (1974) applied portions of the fresh leaf of Cordyline terminalis to the backs of 2 males for 48 hours under occlusion. Neither irritant reactions nor delayed flares occurred.

Cordyline rubra Huegel
Red-Fruited Palm Lily

Cordyline stricta Endl.: [syn. Dracaena stricta Sims]
Narrow-Leaved Palm Lily

Souder (1963) listed Cordyline stricta as a plant that contains saponin and minute stinging crystals of calcium oxalate. Griffin & Maunwongyathi (1969) observed that the leaves of this species do contain bundles of calcium oxalate raphides. The dimensions of the raphides were not reported [see also Cordyline fruticosa above].

Dasylirion Zucc.