dragon tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Canary Island Dragon Tree
• Dragon Tree
• dragon-tree
• Canary Islands Dragon Tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Palma draco
• Yucca draco
• Stoerkia draco
• Draco clusii
• Dracaena draco var. strictifolia
• Stoerkia cranziana
• Oedera dragonalis
• Oedera cranziana
• Asparagus draco
• Dracaena yucciformis
• Dracaena boerhaavei
• Drakaina draco
• Dracaena draco subsp. draco
• Dracaena draco var. laxifolia
• Dracaena draco var. pendulifolia
• Dracaena draco var. angustifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales. Finally, it resides in the family Asparagaceae and is identified by the genus Dracaena.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a distinct geographical distribution spanning several regions across the Atlantic and Mediterranean. In Southwestern Europe, its presence can be found within the Baleares and Sardegna archipelagos. Moving toward the African continent, it is also established in Tunisia. The species extends its range into Macaronesia, specifically inhabiting the Azores. Finally, it is widely distributed throughout the Canary Is. within the same Macaronesian region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dracaena draco is defined by its adaptation to specific altitudinal gradients within its native Macaronesian habitats, typically thriving in subtropical environments. This species is found across an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 100 m AMSL to a maximum of 600 m AMSL. Within this vertical distribution, the plant occupies various ecological niches, often favoring rocky slopes, cliffs, and coastal ravines where it can access necessary moisture while maintaining stability in rugged terrain. Its presence is closely tied to the specific microclimates found within these low-to-mid elevation zones, where it interacts with specialized soil compositions and local weather patterns to sustain its unique growth form.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Dracaena draco is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated stems, typically growing into a large, woody tree-like structure. Throughout its life cycle, the plant remains evergreen, retaining its foliage consistently across seasons. Its architectural development as a phanerophyte ensures that its vital parts are held well above the ground, a key feature of its long-lived biological strategy.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dracaena draco is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, primarily developing as a self-supporting tree. It exhibits a substantial stature, with a mean plant height of approximately 10 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 20 m. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, nor is it an epiphyte, as it maintains a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant's structure is defined by its woody nature, providing the necessary stability for its significant vertical development.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dracaena draco is characterized by specific morphological and metabolic adaptations, most notably its leaf structure and carbon fixation strategy. The plant features ensiform leaves that typically range in length from a minimum of 50 cm to a maximum of 60 cm. In terms of metabolic processes, it utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway to convert light energy into chemical energy. Additionally, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external nitrogen sources within the soil rather than biological nitrogen fixation to meet its nutritional requirements.

Leaf form :

ensiform

Leaf length max:

60 cm

Leaf length min:

50 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dracaena draco is characterized by a sexual process occurring in dioecious individuals, meaning male and female flowers are found on separate plants. The plant produces green flowers arranged in a panicle inflorescence, which are subject to biotic pollination, specifically via an insect syndrome. The flowering period is highly variable but typically spans from December through September. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fleshy, indehiscent berries that are brown in color. These fruits are relatively uniform in size, measuring approximately 1 cm in both length and width. Each berry is highly prolific, containing more than 1,000 seeds. The seeds themselves have a mean mass of approximately 0.344915 g and a consistent volume of 390 mm³. Dispersal of the seeds is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically endozoochory, where animals ingest the fleshy fruit and disperse the seeds internally.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flowering time :

Dec

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Inflorescence :

panicle

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed mass max:

0.34483 g

Seed mass mean:

0.344915 g

Seed volume max:

390 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dracaena draco has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Dracaena draco has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Loureirin B, Flavonoids, Loureirin A.

Loureirin B

1. Se pu = Chinese journal of chromatography
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Loureirin A

1. Se pu = Chinese journal of chromatography

Preparations

Dracaena draco has 4 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aerial parts, bark, resin "dragon's blood", stem bark.

Aerial parts

1. Phytochemistry

Bark

1. Journal of natural products

Resin "dragon's blood"

1. Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)

Stem bark

1. Journal of natural products