Dracaena cinnabari
Dragon's blood tree
Dracaena cinnabarii, commonly known as the Dragon Blood Tree, is a striking succulent endemic to Socotra. Renowned for its unique umbrella shape, it produces a vivid red resin used traditionally in medicine and dyes. This resilient species symbolizes ecological heritage and remains a vital subject of botanical research.
- Scientific name: Dracaena cinnabari
- Family: Asparagaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales and the family Asparagaceae, it is further classified under the genus Dracaena.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asparagales | WCVP |
| Family | Asparagaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Dracaena | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Dracaena cinnabari, is a unique species endemic to the Socotra archipelago. Depending on the region and language, its common names vary: in Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 索科特拉龙血树 (zh-hans/zh-cn/zh-sg), while in Traditional Chinese, it is known as 索科特拉龍血樹 (zh-hant/zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 索科特拉龙血树 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 索科特拉龍血樹 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 索科特拉龍血樹 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 索科特拉龙血树 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 索科特拉龙血树 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 索科特拉龍血樹 | Wikidata |
| eo | Sokotra draceno | Wikidata |
| fr | Dragonnier de Socotra | Wikidata |
| ru | Драцена киноварно-красная | Wikidata |
| fa | درخت خون اژدها | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is characterized by an extremely limited and specialized geographical range. It is found exclusively within the Northeast Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its entire natural habitat is restricted to the unique island of Socotra. This endemic species thrives only within this specific ecological niche. Consequently, its global distribution is entirely confined to this single, isolated location.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Socotra | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Dracaena cinnabarii, is most highly valued for the production of its medicinal and aromatic exudates. The primary substance harvested from its trunk is a thick gum resin that oozes from the bark when the plant is wounded. Within this substance, the most prized component is the deep red resin, commonly known as dragon's blood, which has been used since antiquity for its various healing properties. This distinct resin is frequently utilized in traditional medicine and dyeing processes due to its intense color and unique chemical composition.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| resin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| red resin (dragon's blood) | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gum resin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Dracaena cinnabari has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2,4'-dihydroxy-4-methoxydihydrochalcone, 2-Hydroxychalcone, Flavonoids, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 2,4'-dihydroxy-4-methoxydihydrochalcone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2-Hydroxychalcone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Dracaena cinnabari has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast cancer, infections, influenza virus type A, lung cancer, oral cancer.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| influenza virus type A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lung cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oral cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| squamous cell carcinoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |