Dracaena draco, commonly known as the dragon tree or Canary Islands dragon tree, is a striking and slow-growing plant native to the Canary Islands, Madeira, and parts of western Morocco. Here are some key facts about it:
🌿 Overview
Scientific name: Dracaena draco
Common names: Dragon tree, Canary Islands dragon tree
Family: Asparagaceae (formerly placed in Agavaceae)
Native range: Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira, and western Morocco
🌱 Appearance
Form: A tree-like monocot with a thick trunk and umbrella-shaped canopy.
Height: Can reach up to 12 meters (40 feet) or more.
Leaves: Sword-shaped, blue-green, growing in dense rosettes.
Growth: Very slow; can live for hundreds of years.
Trunk: Produces a red resin known as dragon’s blood when cut or wounded.
🧪 Interesting Traits
Dragon’s Blood: The resin has been used historically in medicine, varnishes, and dyes.
Longevity: Some specimens are centuries old, like the famous "El Drago Milenario" in Tenerife, believed to be 800–1,000 years old.
Branching: Occurs after flowering, giving the tree its distinctive umbrella shape.
🌞 Care (for potted/ornamental use)
Light: Bright, indirect light to full sun.
Water: Drought-tolerant; allow soil to dry out between waterings.
Temperature: Prefers warm climates, not frost-tolerant.
Soil: Well-draining, sandy or cactus mix.
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