Dracaena trifasciata
(Prain) Mabb.
Family: Asparagaceae
Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophytes > Angiosperms > Monocots > Asparagales > Asparagaceae > Nolinoideae > Dracaena > D. trifasciata
Common name [English]: Mother-in-law's Tongue, Snake Plant
Vernacular name [Malayalam]: മരൽ
Nativity: S. Nigeria to W. Central Tropical Africa
Habitat: garden plant
Description: Commonly called the snake plant, because of the shape of its leaves, or mother-in-law's tongue because of their sharpness. It forms dense stands, spreading by way of its creeping rhizome, which is sometimes above ground, sometimes underground. Its stiff leaves grow vertically from a basal rosette. Mature leaves are dark green with light gray-green cross-banding and usually range between 70-90 cm in length and 5-6 cm in width. Snake Plant, is native to Africa. It has stiff sword-shaped leaves to 4 feet long by 2.75 inches wide. Leaves are banded yellow on either side with a deep green, lightly banded center. It is grown for the hemp-like fiber in the leaves, which is called bowstring hemp. They are an attractive plant for pot culture and are very durable to a wide range of condition. The flowers are greenish-white and are on 18-inch spikes in spring. Snake plant will survive in a wide range of conditions. They tolerate the low light conditions and are very drought tolerant. They are propagated by division of rhizomes at anytime of the year.
Flowering and Fruiting: September to February
Uses: Environmental uses, Fibres, Leaves are potentially used to make rope,some chemicals and as curative for Disorders.
Cultivation: Wild and cultivated
References
http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org
https://indiabiodiversity.org