Socotra Dragon Tree
The Socotra dragon tree (Dracaena cinnabari) is an umbrella-shaped tree found only on the Yemeni island of Socotra. Its red resin, known as dragon's blood, has been traded as a dye and medicine since antiquity. The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable.
The Socotra dragon tree (Dracaena cinnabari) is an umbrella-shaped tree found only on the Yemeni island of Socotra. Its red resin, known as dragon's blood, has been traded as a dye and medicine since antiquity. The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable.
🧬 Field Guide Specimen: Open Socotra Dragon Tree in the CRV Science Field Guide to log the specimen, see its place among the Diaphoretickes lineages in the Cladogram Explorer, and test your recall in the Red List conservation game.
Catching Mist: An Umbrella Canopy
The dense, upturned crown intercepts moisture from monsoon mists and funnels it down to the roots. Shade under the canopy reduces evaporation and helps seedlings survive.
Dragon's Blood
The tree's deep red resin has been used as a dye, varnish and traditional remedy. It oozes when the bark is cut. Dragon's blood from other plants has also been traded around the world.
A Slow, Threatened Forest
Dragon trees grow slowly and seedlings are eaten by goats. The forest is not regenerating well, and models predict a drying climate may further reduce suitable habitat. See Climate change.
Socotra Dragon Tree at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Dracaena cinnabari |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Field Guide group | Diaphoretickes: Plants & Algae |
| Diagnostic feature (Field Guide) | Dense umbrella-shaped mushroom canopy of stiff radiating leaves, exudes bright red cinnabar dragon blood sap. |
| IUCN Red List status | Vulnerable (VU), assessed 2004 |
| Distribution | Socotra, Yemen (endemic) |
See Also
- Climate change — drying habitats
- Biodiversity — island endemics