126 Sztb tropical Gardening. 



tropical plants. D. indivisa grows well in the open air in 

 the south of England and Ireland. 



Dracaena australis. — A fine plant, with a stout, 

 branched stem, from 10 ft. to 40 ft. high, and oblong, 

 lance-shaped, bright green leaves, from 2 ft. to 3 ft. in 

 length and 2 ins. to 4 ins. in breadth, striated with numerous 

 parallel veins. Flowers white, densely crowded, sweet- 

 scented, f in. across; but these are rarely produced 

 except in large houses in botanic or other gardens, where 

 there are old or well-established specimens. This is a 

 useful conservatory species, and may be used out of doors 

 in summer, like D. indivisa, though it is not quite so 

 graceful. This plant is of very easy culture in ordinary 



soil. 



Dracaena cannaefolia.— A very fine species from 

 New Holland, with a tall stem, and leaves from 20 ins. to 

 2 ft. long, the sides of which are rolled inwards, so as to 

 form a kind of pipe, of a fine sea-green colour, and sup- 

 ported on stalks a foot or more in length. This is a 

 valuable species for warm greenhouse or conservatory use, 

 and also for placing out of doors in the southern counties, 

 though it thrives best indoors. 



Dracsena Draco {Dragon tree of Teneriffe). — A 

 large and vigorous species, native of the Canary Islands, 

 where it attains a great height and age ; the now perished 

 Dragon-tree at Orotava in Teneriffe having grown, ac- 

 cording to Meyen, "70 ft. high and 48 ft. in circum- 

 ference, with an antiquity which must at least be greater 

 than that of the Pyramids." In this country it is seldom 

 seen more than ic ft. high. The stem is tree-like, simple 

 or divided at the top, and often, when old, becoming 



