Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

282 DRACAENACEAE
Habitat and
distribution
Fig. 124. Dracaena steudneri, in cultivation in Blantyre, Malawi.
Habitat and
distribution
margin smooth. Inflorescence initially erect, eventually bending in
fruit, paniculate, up to 100(–200) × 70–150 cm wide with many
perpendicular glabrous branches terminating in contracted multiflowered
racemes, pedicels 2.5 mm long, articulated at the top.
Perianth greenish­white, 15 mm long including the 4 mm long
tube, lobes translucent with a single rib. Ovary 3–4 × 2 mm. Fruits
first bronze-coloured, later dark-purple to black-maroon with
orange pulp, 15–20 × 15–30 mm. Seeds white, globose, 10 mm in
diameter.
The species occurs in relict forests and se condary forests
between 1500 and 2000 m in Tigray, Gon der, Gojam,
Shewa, Wellega, Kefa, Sidamo and Harerge floristic
regions. It is often planted as an or na mental in gardens
and parks. It also occurs in East Africa, west to eastern
Zaire, south to Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The main
flo wering period in Ethiopia is from November to
February.