Dracaena reflexa

song of India

Practitioners of traditional medicine in Madagascar have used this plant to treat malaria, poisonings, dysentery, fever, and excessive bleeding. Mixtures of plants that include Dracaena reflexa are made into teas in Madagascar. On the neighboring islands of Mauritius and Reunion, the plant serves as a support for vanilla orchids.

Young leaves are eaten as vegetables in Africa.

Diosgenin, a compound used in the commercial synthesis of cortisone, progesterone, and pregnenolone, was recently found in the plant.

NASA has conducted studies on shade-loving plants that have potential for use in air purification, specifically for missions into space. The results from these studies, however, can also be applied to the household since many of the same compounds NASA is looking for plants to remove are found in our own homes and may cause or worsen a number of human conditions. Dracaena marginata, a close relative of this plant, was tested and was found to remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene from the air.

This plant is at home in most places in the landscape because of its tolerance of a wide variety of conditions. It can be trimmed to make a hedge or topiary; if left to grow on its own it can reach a height of about 20 ft.