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Cordyline fruticosa 'Firebrand'
| Family Name: | Asparagaceae |
| Common Name: | Red Dracaena, Cabbage Tree |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Eastern Asia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Upright growing shrub, able to grow up to 3 - 5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Lance-shaped leaves, dark purple with streaks of pink, measuring about 80 cm long. |
| Flowers | White to lavender small flowers borne in a panicle inflorescence measuring about 30 cm long. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a red berry. |
| Etymology | Genus Cordyline is from the Greek word "kordyle" which means "a club" and is referring to the club-shaped roots of the plant. Species fruticosa means shrub-liked habit. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Cultural / Religious: In Hawaii, the leaves are used to make hula skirts. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Hedge / Screening |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Red, Pink |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 550 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1846 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
