Fauna
Plant

Dracaena pethera

Dracaena pethera

Also known as Star Sansevieria, Snake Plant

Dracaena pethera grows as a tough, stemless rosette of thick, leathery leaves patterned with pale green mottling and wavy, reddish-brown margins. At night, dense umbels of fragrant, starry white flowers open on stout stalks, attracting nocturnal moths across East African thickets and rocky bushland. Underground rhizomes store moisture and anchor clonal colonies through prolonged dry seasons, aided by water-saving CAM photosynthesis.

SucculentDrought-TolerantEvergreen
Dracaena pethera reference
Ton Rulkens from Mozambique / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (CAM photosynthesis; absorbs water and minerals via roots and rhizomes.)
Predators
  • Browsing ungulates
  • Crested porcupines
  • Scale insects
ThreatsCoastal development, agricultural clearing, and wild collection for horticulture
HabitatsCoastal thickets, dry bushland, and rocky outcrops in East Africa
Life span10–25+ years (perennial via rhizomes.)
Classification
  1. FamilyAsparagaceae
  2. SpeciesDracaena pethera
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Contains saponins that are toxic to dogs and cats if ingested; keep out of reach of pets.
Why it is dangerous
Leaves and rhizomes contain steroidal saponins, which irritate the gastrointestinal tract and cause vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea in dogs and cats.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Forms a basal rosette of thick, wavy-edged, mottled green leaves with reddish-brown borders and a sharp terminal tip.
What to do
Keep potted specimens away from curious pets and wash hands after pruning or dividing rhizomes.
Responsible observation
  • Light and Water: Prefers bright indirect light and infrequent watering only after soil dries completely.
  • Pet Safety: Place plants out of reach of dogs and cats to prevent chewing on saponin-rich leaves.
  • Propagation: Spreads readily from divided underground rhizomes or leaf cuttings in gritty, well-draining soil.
Related species
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