Dracaena mannii, commonly known as the small-leaved dragon tree, is an evergreen tree that can reach up to 98 feet tall with a stem diameter of up to 7 feet, primarily found in the understory of lowland, submontane, and montane forests. It is native to a wide range of habitats across tropical Africa, from Senegal to Angola, including Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, Gambia, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Cameroon, and Nigeria. This species thrives in moist, evergreen forests, often near swampy areas, coastal dunes, forest edges, clearings, and riverbanks, from sea level to an elevation of 5906 feet. The small-leaved dragon tree is named after botanist Gustav Mann and is recognized for its fragrant cream or white flowers and bright red berry-like fruits, which are particularly noticeable when the tree is in bloom. The bark is known to produce resin when damaged.

Dracaena mannii is valued for its ornamental appeal due to its striking foliage, flowers, and fruits. It is also appreciated for its medicinal properties, as various parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine to treat nausea, parasitic infections, swelling, gout, mouth sores, and lung ailments. Additionally, the plant has practical uses, including in the production of food, soap, and arrow-poison. In cultivation, it requires a moist environment with well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of light conditions from partial shade to full sun. While it is not commonly grown in gardens, it can be an interesting addition to botanical collections or used in reforestation projects. Care should be taken as the resin from the bark can be irritating to some people, and the plant may be susceptible to pests such as mealybugs and scale insects.CC BY-SA 4.0