Status:
valid
Authors:
(Seem.) Engl.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1879
Citation Micro:
Monogr. Phan. 2: 284 (1879)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000945543
Common Names
- Gigas Dragonlily
- Gigas Dragon's Lily
- Gigas Dragonlily Lily
Description
Dracontium gigas (also called Giant Dracontium, among many other common names) is an herbaceous perennial plant native to Central and South America. It has a basal rosette of leaves and a tall stem with small, white flowers. It grows in meadows, grasslands, and open woodlands.
Uses & Benefits
Dracontium gigas is used as an ornamental plant in gardens, as it produces attractive yellow-red flowers. It is also used as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Dracontium gigas is white or yellowish-white and has a greenish-yellow center. The seed is a small, dark brown, ovoid capsule with a single seed inside. The seedlings are small, with long, narrow leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Dracontium gigas can be propagated by division or by seed. When propagating by division, divide the plant in spring or early summer and replant the divisions in well-drained soil. When propagating by seed, sow the seeds in a well-drained potting mix and keep the soil moist. The seeds should germinate in 4-6 weeks. The plants should be grown in full sun and in well-drained soil.
Where to Find Dracontium gigas
Dracontium gigas can be found in the mountains of Central Asia, from Kazakhstan to Afghanistan.
Species in the Dracontium genus
Dracontium iquitense,
Dracontium amazonense,
Dracontium angustispathum,
Dracontium asperispathum,
Dracontium asperum,
Dracontium bogneri,
Dracontium croatii,
Dracontium dubium,
Dracontium gigas,
Dracontium grandispathum,
Dracontium grayumianum,
Dracontium guianense,
Dracontium longipes,
Dracontium margaretae,
Dracontium nivosum,
Dracontium peruvianum,
Dracontium pittieri,
Dracontium plowmanii,
Dracontium polyphyllum,
Dracontium prancei,
Dracontium purdieanum,
Dracontium soconuscum,
Dracontium spruceanum,
Dracontium ulei,
Dracontium narae,
Dracontium laetum,
Dracontium albostipes,
Dracontium annulatum,
Dracontium constantinoi,
Species in the Araceae family
Adelonema erythropus,
Adelonema allenii,
Adelonema crinipes,
Adelonema hammelii,
Adelonema kvistii,
Adelonema mofflerianum,
Adelonema orientale,
Adelonema pallidinervium,
Adelonema panamense,
Adelonema peltatum,
Adelonema picturatum,
Adelonema roezlii,
Adelonema speariae,
Adelonema wallisii,
Adelonema wendlandii,
Adelonema yanamonoense,
Aglaodorum griffithii,
Aglaonema brevispathum,
Aglaonema chermsiriwattanae,
Aglaonema cochinchinense,
Aglaonema commutatum,
Aglaonema cordifolium,
Aglaonema costatum,
Aglaonema densinervium,
Aglaonema flemingianum,
Aglaonema hookerianum,
Aglaonema marantifolium,
Aglaonema modestum,
Aglaonema nebulosum,
Aglaonema nitidum,
Aglaonema ovatum,
Aglaonema philippinense,
Aglaonema pictum,
Aglaonema pumilum,
Aglaonema rotunda,
Aglaonema simplex,
Aglaonema tricolor,
Aglaonema vittatum,
Aglaonema robeleynii,
Aglaonema birmanicum,
Aglaonema nicobaricum,
Aglaonema tassae,
Alloschemone inopinata,
Alloschemone occidentalis,
Alocasia megawatiae,
Alocasia chaii,
Alocasia infernalis,
Alocasia nycteris,
Alocasia hypoleuca,
Alocasia jiewhoei,