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dracaena

noun
dra·​cae·​na | \ drə-ˈsē-nə How to pronounce dracaena (audio) \

Definition of dracaena

: any of two genera (Dracaena and Cordyline) of chiefly Old World tropical shrubs or trees that have sword-shaped leaves spirally arranged and often clustered at the ends of branches and include some used as houseplants
Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about dracaena

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Did You Know?

Any of about 50–80 species of ornamental foliage plants in the agave family, the dracaena is native primarily to the Old World tropics. Most have short stalks and narrow, sword-shaped leaves; some have taller stalks and resemble trees. The small flowers are red, yellow, or green. Two species are often grown as houseplants. The ornamental dragon tree of the Canary Islands bears orange fruit. Its trunk contains a red gum, called dragon’s blood, which was formerly used in medicines.

Examples of dracaena in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 As concentrations of fluoride build up in the tips of dracaena leaves, the plant cells die, leaving brown tips. — Willi Evans Galloway, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Extra-Lush Lucky Bamboo," 20 Aug. 2018 As concentrations of fluoride build up in the tips of dracaena leaves, the plant cells die, leaving brown tips. — Willi Evans Galloway, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Extra-Lush Lucky Bamboo," 20 Aug. 2018 As concentrations of fluoride build up in the tips of dracaena leaves, the plant cells die, leaving brown tips. — Willi Evans Galloway, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Extra-Lush Lucky Bamboo," 20 Aug. 2018 For dracaenas, very small concentrations of fluoride can be phytotoxic, meaning that the fluoride can kill plant cells. — Willi Evans Galloway, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Extra-Lush Lucky Bamboo," 20 Aug. 2018 For dracaenas, very small concentrations of fluoride can be phytotoxic, meaning that the fluoride can kill plant cells. — Willi Evans Galloway, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Extra-Lush Lucky Bamboo," 20 Aug. 2018 As concentrations of fluoride build up in the tips of dracaena leaves, the plant cells die, leaving brown tips. — Willi Evans Galloway, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Extra-Lush Lucky Bamboo," 20 Aug. 2018 For dracaenas, very small concentrations of fluoride can be phytotoxic, meaning that the fluoride can kill plant cells. — Willi Evans Galloway, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Extra-Lush Lucky Bamboo," 20 Aug. 2018 Tropical bromeliads, orchids, spathiphyllum, aluminum plants and dracaena like the shady sites. — Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "June in the garden," 26 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dracaena.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of dracaena

circa 1823, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for dracaena

New Latin, from Late Latin, she-serpent, from Greek drakaina, feminine of drakōn serpent — more at dragon

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