Dracaena kaweesakii
Dracaena kaweesakii is a species of dragon tree. It can reach in both height and crown diameter. It is only found growing atop the limestone mountains in the Loei and the Lop Buri Provinces of Thailand.
Description
Dracaena kaweesakii is a species of dragon tree characterized by an extensive branching system; a fully grown specimen has several hundred branches. It has sword shaped leaves with white edges that grow in large clusters and can be up to long. It has cream-colored flowers that have and slight green or yellow tint and bright orange filaments. D. kaweesakii produces brown fruit that turn orange when ripe. Seeds are in diameter. D. kaweesakii can grow to be tall with a crown diameter of. The tree's trunk can reach in diameter.Dracaena kaweesakii in known from northern, northeastern, and central Thailand. Oral reports suggest it is also found in neighboring Burma. The tree grows on limestone outcrops at altitudes of. Higher altitude specimens tend to be shorter and less branching and smaller leaves. Because of its limited distribution and the harvesting of limestone for concrete production the species is thought to be endangered. As of 2013, the population was estimated to be less than 2500.
In May 2014, the International Institute for Species Exploration named D. kaweesakii as one of the "Top 10 New Species" named in 2013.