Zig-zagging trunk

This plant grew “up,” fell over and is now growing “up” again. Finding out what this is…

As Danette knew right away, this is “Dracaena marginata,” which may have common names “Madagascar dragon tree,” “Spanish dagger” and “Red-stemmed dracaena.”

From Missouri Botanical Garden, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b592 » “This species of dracaena is a very popular houseplant that typically grows to 6' tall or more over time unless pruned shorter. It features perhaps the narrowest leaves of the various species of dracaena sold in commerce. Slender gray upright stems are topped by tufts of arching, glossy, sword-shaped leaves (to 2' long and 1/2" wide). Leaves are deep green with narrow reddish edges. Lower leaves fall off with age leaving distinctive diamond-shaped leaf scars on the stems. In its native habitat of Madagascar, this species grows as a shrub or small tree to 20' tall. Fragrant tiny white flowers in spring are followed by spherical yellow-orange beries. Flowers and berries rarely appear on indoor plants. This plant is also sometimes called Spanish dagger or red-stemmed dracaena or Madagascar dragon tree. ‘Tricolor’ is a popular cultivar which adds a thin yellow stripe to each leaf.”

Passed up an orchid macro,
• “Prosthechea cochleata” (“Cockleshell Orchid” or “Clamshell Orchid”), http://phytoimages.siu.edu/imgs/paraman1/r/Orchidaceae_Prosthechea_cochleata_94854.html
• two shots of a “Philodendron bipinnatifidum” (“Tree Philodendron,” “Cut-leaf Philodendron,” “Selloum”), http://phytoimages.siu.edu/imgs/paraman1/r/Araceae_Philodendron_bipinnatifidum_94851.html and http://phytoimages.siu.edu/imgs/paraman1/r/Araceae_Philodendron_bipinnatifidum_94859.html and
• a couple shots of coffee cherries cut open (which I could do again).

Two photos from this "session" at PhytoImages:
• http://phytoimages.siu.edu/imgs/paraman1/r/Ruscaceae_Dracaena_marginata_94852.html
• http://phytoimages.siu.edu/imgs/paraman1/r/Ruscaceae_Dracaena_marginata_94866.html

Species page at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/taxpage/0/0/79/binomial/Dracaena%20marginata.html

Photo taken at SIUC Plant Biology Greenhouse, http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/facilities/plant-biology-facilities/greenhouse/index.php

1 year ago (“Cubism”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2014-01-21
2 years ago (“Tall oaks from little acorns grow”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-01-21
3 years ago (“Maple ‘chest-on-chest’”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-01-21
4 years ago (“Easiest photo ever!”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-01-21

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[Danette Thompson]

Dracaena marginata

[Thom Mitchell]

@danette Look at you knowing the scientific name!! I'm very impressed!!

[Danette Thompson]

Or the more common name of Zig-zaggy trunk! :-) I have planted many plants in my life, including commercial projects and schools. Once subscribed to the Plant Finder, so had to know the biological names in order to find them. I think this might be the tri-color version. I try to know at least the best ones to plant in our area. I have worked on projects with our city forester. He is a wealth of information. I probably should have been a landscape architect if I had known about it back in the day.

[Maggiemae]

Got even more colours than just green and yellow! Wow!