Dear Friends, This plant was included in a "sympathy" planter given to me about seven years ago. I transplanted it into its own pot last year and moved it to a south-facing window with lots of sun. Two or three weeks ago I noticed it's producing an interesting-looking flower. The plant is now about 18-24 inches tall and the leaves are somewhat "stiff" – almost paper-like; not at all "fleshy." I am eager to learn more about this plant and am hoping someone will be able to identify it from the attached pics. Thanks for any info or leads. Sincerely, Wade
Thanks, Junglekeeper. I googled that name and found more pics that look pretty similar to my plant. Do you know where I can find a pic of the flower?
I've not seen flowers on compacta, until now. Members have posted pictures of ones on the species in these forums. A search turned up someone reporting blooms on theirs in this thread on an external forum. The flowers in that picture are similar to yours. Please post a picture when they open.
P.S. Yes. Found this site and both the leaves and flower look similar to my plant. Flowers on plant in image seem a bit larger and are further along than mine, so I'll take pic and post when mine is fully open and has some fragrance to report.
Since my posting on Nov 8th, I've been told that the variety of draceana I've got is Dracaena reflexa compacta, fragrans, which agrees with Junglekeeper's ID. Now, a week later, the flower heads are extending from the stalk and the composite blooms are beginning to open. What initially seemed a musky order in the bud stage is now a wonderful sweet fragrance – gardenia-like. I've attached a few pics of the flower, as it looks tonight. At the rate it's been going, it should be fully open sometime during the coming week and I'll try to take another pic or two.
Thanks for the update. Too bad smell cannot be conveyed digitally. I'm confused by your statement regarding D. reflexa. That species is not the same as D. fragrans. There's a noticeable difference in the appearance of the leaves. Furthermore I do not believe D. reflexa compacta is a valid name.
Mine has never bloomed and I've had it for a few yrs now. It may need a little more light then what it's getting is all..... It's around a foot tall. Maybe it will do something nice next year! Nice flowers by the way!
Will check into name, at your suggestion. Common name given to me for plant was "Janet Craig Compacta." Does that sound any better/more correct?
I'm not an expert but this is my understanding of the recent name change. The plant, a smaller version of D. deremensis 'Janet Craig', was named D. deremensis 'Compacta' before being reclassified as D. fragrans 'Compacta'. Other names for the plant include D. compacta and D. deremensis 'Janet Craig Compacta' but I do not believe those are valid. Note cultivar names are not italicized.
This info is great to have. Thank you very much for helping me ID the plant and learn it's proper name.
