Igihondohondo (Northern Large-Leaved Dragon-Tree)
Dracaena steudneri
A striking, sparsely-branched tree with rosettes of long, strap-like leaves at its branch tips, native to East and Central African highland forests. Widely grown as an ornamental for its architectural form, it also features in traditional medicine for blood pressure and liver ailments.
- Kinyarwanda name
- Igihondohondo
- English name
- Northern Large-Leaved Dragon-Tree
- Scientific name
- Dracaena steudneri
- Family
- Asparagaceae
Habitat
Montane forest margins, riverine forest, and cultivated land at mid-to-high elevation.
Distribution
East and Central African highlands, including Rwanda's forested hills.
Uses
Ornamental plant; air purifying. Traditional medicine: used as an anti-bacterial and antiviral, to combat high blood pressure, and as a bark decoction for hepatic (liver) treatment.
Ecological importance
Its dense leaf rosettes and flower spikes provide nectar for pollinating insects and shelter for small birds.
Ibisobanuro
Igiti cy'umulimbo. Ubuvuzi: umuti ukoreshwa mu kugabanya umuvuduko w'amaraso no kuvura indwara z'umwijima.