The infamous dragon's blood tree, very rare and endangered in the wild

The dragon's blood tree is a subtropical tree that can grow over 15 meters tall with a trunk of 5 meters or more in circumference. Wild endemic populations are currently only known in Tenerife and Madeira after recently becoming extinct in the wild on Gran Canaria.

The specimens we sell here come from the historic 'Quinta da Boa Vista' in Madeira, handpicked from his garden by Patrick Garton, who now runs the Quinta.

The name 'Draco' comes from Greek mythology. In Heracles' eleventh labor, he was to retrieve three golden apples from the Garden of the Hesperides, which were guarded by the hundred-headed dragon Landon. Killing the dragon caused red blood to flow across the land, from which the dragon's blood tree began to sprout. Cutting into the bark or leaves exposes a red sap known as dragon's blood, a substance used in traditional medicine for aches and pains.

When the tree is young, it has a single, slender trunk topped with a crown of spiky, sword-shaped leaves. The dragon's blood tree grows extremely slowly, reaching about 1.2 meters after a decade. At this time, about 10-15 years of age, the trunk stops growing and produces an inflorescence of white fragrant flowers. Soon after, the plant begins to branch, forming the typical crown for which the dragon's blood tree is known.

A fascinating phenomenon is that the tree forms aerial roots from its branches where it captures moisture from the air of the coast and the clouds. (See the picture below)

Botanical description

Dracaena draco is native to Macaronesia and southwestern Morocco. The subspecies 'draco' ( Dracaena draco ssp draco ) is endemic to Madeira and the Canary Islands.

The tree was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1762 as Asparagus draco and was assigned to the new genus Dracaena in 1767. It is a monocotyledonous plant currently placed in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoidae).

Care

Easy to grow in rich, well-drained soil in full sun all year round. During winter keep the plant drier at a minimum temperature of around 12°C.

Water moderately during the growing season and reduce watering in winter. The tree tolerates drought well but appreciates consistent moisture during active growth.

Give the plant plenty of space as it eventually develops its characteristic umbrella-like crown with many branches. Buy Dragon's Blood Tree 'Dracena draco' online!