Toad-like Dragon Tree

The Toad-like Dragon Tree (Dracaena phrynioides) is native to moist tropical forests in West Africa. This species of Dracaena will not grow larger than 75 centimeters. It is usually unbranched and rarely with up to four branches from a short prostrate part not longer than 5 centimeters.

Like other Dracaenas it has a somewhat unique appearance: short stems arising from the rootstock carry oval, ribbed leaves which are attractively spotted or mottled yellowish. The Toad-like Dragon Tree blooms with a clump of flowers within a cup formed from bracts and on a short stem close to the roots. The flowers are followed by a bunch of glossy red to orange berries. The orange roots of the Toad-like Dragon Tree smell attractively of violets when they are still fresh.

The first part of its scientific name, Dracaena, is a feminine form of the Greek word Drakon and therefore means 'female dragon'. The second part, phrynioides, has its roots in the ancient Greek language, where phrýnē (Φρύνη) meant 'toad' and the name of the species can therefore be translated as 'toad-like'. It tries to describe the yellowish colour of the leaves.

Phrýnē was also a rather famous courtesan (hetaira) in Greek classical times, who lived in the 4th century BC. Phrýnē's real name was Mnēsarétē (Μνησαρέτη – 'commemorating virtue'), but owing to her yellowish complexion she was called Phrýnē ('toad'). This was a sobriquet frequently given to other courtesans and prostitutes as well.