Family: Asparagaceae
Species: Dracaena draco L.
Common Name: Dragon Tree (Albero del Drago)
English: Island Dragon Tree, Dragon Tree
German: Drachenbaum, Drachenblutbaum
Etymology:
The genus name Dracaena originates from the Greek word meaning “female dragon,” referring to the red resin the plant produces, known as dragon’s blood. The species name draco is an intensifier of the genus name and means “great dragon.”
Description:
An evergreen plant with a shrub-like growth habit, Dracaena draco can reach up to 20 meters in height in its native habitat. It has a cylindrical, dark gray trunk covered with scars from old leaves. From the trunk, multiple branches emerge, each bearing clusters of long, strap-shaped, gray-green leaves with pointed tips.
In spring, the tree produces fragrant, cream-white flowers arranged in panicles, followed by fleshy, round, orange fruits. As it matures, it develops an umbrella-like canopy, making it a striking ornamental plant. It thrives in sunny locations and, being a subtropical species, it is sensitive to low temperatures.
Habitat:
Native to the Canary Islands, Madeira, Morocco, and the Azores.
Properties & Uses:
When the bark or leaves are cut, the plant secretes a reddish resin, which, upon oxidation, turns into dragon’s blood. Known since ancient Roman times as a dye, it was highly sought after during the Middle Ages by magicians and alchemists, who believed it had therapeutic properties.
Notes & Curiosities:
As a monocotyledon, D. draco does not develop annual growth rings, so its age is estimated by counting branch divisions. In Tenerife, the famous “Drago Milenario”, a centuries-old specimen, stands as a tourist attraction due to its legendary longevity.
The Dragon Tree has a slow growth rate, taking about a decade to reach just a few meters in height.
It is often confused with Yucca, but they can be distinguished by how their leaves attach to the trunk. On Dracaena, old leaves fall off, leaving behind diamond-shaped scars on the stem. In contrast, Yucca’s old leaves tend to remain attached to the trunk, while new ones grow over them.
Dracaena at Heller Garden:
Several species of Dracaena can be found at Heller Garden, including tree-like varieties with rigid, dark green leaves (such as D. draco) and shorter species with more flexible, yellow-green foliage.
While Dracaena draco prefers bright environments, it thrives in shaded areas and is commonly found in the garden’s understory.
A favorite for indoor spaces, Dracaena is often used in homes and offices for its ability to improve air quality and reduce indoor pollution.