Dracaena Ellenbeckiana
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''Dracaena ellenbeckiana'' is a species of plant belonging to the Asparagaceae family, subfamily
Nolinoideae Nolinoideae is a monocot subfamily of the family Asparagaceae in the APG III system of 2009. It used to be treated as a separate family, Ruscaceae s.l. The family name is derived from the generic name of the type genus, ''Nolina''. The subfam ...
, and is part of the dracaenoid clade along with closely related genera '' Sansevieria'' and '' Pleomele''. ''Dracaena ellenbeckiana'' is native to Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda, and primarily grows in the seasonally dry tropical biome.


Taxonomy and morphology

''Dracaena ellenbeckiana'' was first described by Engl. in 1902. The species is a shrub or tree, growing 2-8 meters high, with erect stems that are often several from a common base, less often solitary, and little-branched. The stems can be up to in diameter and are longitudinally fissured. The leaves of '' Dracaena'' species are isobilateral and amphistomatic, with anomocytic and tetracytic stomata. The plants are either xeromorphic or mesomorphic and their leaves can grow up to 22–65cm long, 1–9cm wide.


Habitat and ecology

''Dracaena ellenbeckiana'' is adapted to the seasonally dry tropical biome, which is characterized by alternating wet and dry seasons. This habitat has shaped the species' ability to tolerate drought, making it an excellent candidate for cultivation in subtropical climates and as a houseplant. The species is found in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.


References

Plants described in 1902 ellenbeckiana Taxa named by Adolf Engler Flora of East Tropical Africa Flora of Northeast Tropical Africa {{Asparagaceae-stub