Edible Plants of the World

Native Dracaena, Suji dracaena

It is a tropical plant. It grows in northern Australia. It grows in sheltered rainforests often near the sea. It suits humid locations. They are very sensitive to cold. It needs a shady position and well drained soil. In China it grows in forests and thickets. In Townsville Anderson BG.

Also known as:

Buckripathi, Chang hua long zue shu, Dandagu, Danalet, Khon khaen, Pandan suji, Semar, Sudji, Tavivolavy, Tsikasinkasina, Txoob ntuab, Zibak

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Native Dracaena grow?

Found in: Africa, Andaman Islands, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, East Africa, East Timor, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Vietnam

Notes: There are 140 Pleomele species. Also put in the family Dracaenaceae.

Status: They are sold in local markets.

Growing Native Dracaena, Suji dracaena

Cultivation: It can be grown from seed which must be sown fresh. It can also be grown from cuttings which strike easily. As well it can be grown from dividing the basal clump of the plant.

Edible Uses: The very young leaves are cooked and eaten. They are also used in vegetable curry. They are also pounded and mixed with water to give a juice used to colour rice green. The roasted fruit are eaten.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
- - - - - -

References

Bhargava, N., 1983, Ethnobotanical Studies of the Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. 1. Onge. Economic Botany 37(1): 110-119

Borrell, O.W., 1989, An Annotated Checklist of the Flora of Kairiru Island, New Guinea. Marcellin College, Victoria Australia. p 13

Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1914:277. 1914 (As Pleomele angustifolia)

Chen Xinqi, Liang Songyun, Xu Jiemei, Tamura M.N., Liliaceae. Flora of China. p 147

Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 152

Cowie, I, 2006, A Survey of Flora and vegetation of the proposed Jaco-Tutuala-Lore National Park. Timor-Leste (East Timor) www.territorystories.nt/gov.au p 42 (As Pleomele angustifolia)

Eiadthong, W., et al, 2010, Management of the Emerald Triangle Protected Forests Complex. Botanical Consultant Technical Report. p 23

Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1984, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 3. Lothian. p 332

Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1997, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 7. Lothian. p 383 (As Pleomele angustifolia)

Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 92

Jackes, B.R., 2001, Plants of the Tropics. Rainforest to Heath. An Identification Guide. James Cook University. p 38 (As Pleomele angustifolia)

Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 75

Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 262

Kachenchart, B., et al, 2008, Phenology of Edible Plants at Sakaerat Forest. In Proceedings of the FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World. Bangkok, Thailand.

Kuo, W. H. J., (Ed.) Taiwan's Ethnobotanical Database (1900-2000), http://tk.agron.ntu.edu.tw/ethnobot/DB1.htm

Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 202 (Also as Pleomele angustifolia)

Mot So Rau Dai an Duoc O Vietnam. Wild edible Vegetables. Ha Noi 1994, p 138

Ochse, J.J. et al, 1931, Vegetables of the Dutch East Indies. Asher reprint. p 460 (As Pleomele angustifolia)

Peekel, P.G., 1984, (Translation E.E.Henty), Flora of the Bismarck Archipelago for Naturalists, Division of Botany, Lae, PNG. p 83, 82

Ratcliffe D & P., 1987, Australian Native Plants for Indoors. Little Hills press. p 118

Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 738

Sukenti, K., et al, 2016, Ethnobotanical study on local cuisine of the Sasak tribe in Lombok Island, Indonesia. Journal of Ethnic Foods. 3 (2016) 189-200 p 198

Terra, G.J.A., 1973, Tropical Vegetables. Communication 54e Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, p 67 and p 45 (Also as Pleomele angustifolia)

Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 169

Thaman, R. R, 2016, The flora of Tuvalu. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 611. Smithsonian Institute p 34

Vander Velde, N, 2003, The Vascular Plants of Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Atoll research Bulletin. No. 503. Smithsonian Institute. p 16

Whitney, C. W., et al, 2014, Conservation and Ethnobotanical Knowledge of a Hmong Community in Long Lan, Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Ethnobotany Research and Applications 12:643-658

World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew